Starting with the consumables of the Demonic Sect, one can barely achieve immortality.

【lunar】.

In the eyes of the cultivators of Hancheng Academy who practice cold qi, these two words are like the bright moon in the sky, something they anxiously anticipate at all times, yet know all too well how difficult it is to obtain.

Although in orthodox Taoist theory there is no top-down lineage between Taiyin and Hanqi, there is indeed a possibility that the two can transform into each other.

【Cold Qi】Although it is the manifest path in the Northern Territory, it is only manifest in the Northern Territory.

Without the enhancement of the spiritual atmosphere of the environment for cultivators, south of the strait, [Cold Qi] is considered by orthodox Confucian cultivators to be a completely unacceptable and low-level sect.

Even if one were to miraculously achieve the Core Formation stage, their cultivation path and strength would still be no match for those who cultivate the mainstream Daoist traditions.

However, the original intention of the esteemed officials in establishing the gates of Hancheng Academy in the northern border was to allow them to integrate into the local customs and cultivate [Han Qi].

If any self-proclaimed genius among the lower-level cultivators is unwilling to accept their fate and wants to change their path for their own benefit, then they should expect to be invited back by the upper sect for a chat.

Although Ling Qiao had been well protected since childhood, as a disciple of the True Man of Embracing the Core, her status was high enough.

I've heard rumors about how ruthless the upper echelons are:

"There is only one exception, which is something the upper echelons can tolerate, or even welcome."

Her gaze shifted to the Moon-Hidden Palace, which had appeared briefly before disappearing again:

"The ancient cave dwelling of the Cold Qi path was long ago completely cleared away by the Northern Emperor."

"What's left are just the misfits left behind by rogue cultivators; how could the adults possibly want them?"

"They want us to cultivate cold qi so that we can inquire about the opportunities presented by Taiyin through the connection between cold qi and Taiyin."

"If I can use this divine opportunity to cultivate the Taiyin path, not only will my own cultivation journey be bright from now on, but the adults will certainly not object!"

Ling Qiao's only worry was Huang Tong, who had entered the Biyue Palace before her:

'That demonic cultivator... although he has already made preparations to condense the Netherworld Immortal Foundation, and it seems like the arrow is on the bowstring and must be released.'

"But if she were to find the Taiyin cultivation method and matching spiritual items within the Biyue Palace that could directly lead to the Core Formation Realm, who knows if she might be tempted to switch to cultivating Taiyin!"

"Even if she doesn't switch cultivation methods, she will inevitably take the treasures among these artifacts with her, and then the Hall of Longevity will have one more Taiyin Foundation Establishment cultivator!"

She knew that due to the actions of a certain important figure, there was now a corpse cultivator in the Hall of Longevity who cultivated the [Sun] technique. She was given the title of Holy Maiden by the demonic cultivators and was entrusted with the grand ambition of reviving the Hall of Longevity.

"The [Radiant Prism] is a lower-level immortal foundation in the Solar Path; it should not be able to form a Golden Core or attain supernatural powers."

"Besides, how could the Demonic Sect allow someone to achieve the Sun Core Formation within the sect, thus damaging the image of the Moon?"

"The ultimate goal is for her to establish her foundation so she can gather the essence of the Great Sun's Radiant Yang..."

"A Taiyin cultivator who has completed all the Daoist paths and attained the Elixir of Immortality is a completely different story!"

Hearing the approaching footsteps of the living corpses behind her, Ling Qiao dared not hesitate any longer.

Now that her acupoints are sealed by nine silver needles, it's not that she can't cast spells, but if her spiritual energy flows even slightly, the silver needles might fly off.

If she were to be placed on top of the restrictions here while still alive, she would likely die instantly!

……

Before the Moon-Shielding Palace.

Deng Jian and Pei Yi truly exerted every ounce of their strength to catch up with Yan Cheng.

After finally catching up with Yan Cheng, they saw that he had stopped in front of an archway made of marble.

Behind the door, all that could be seen was a thick fog, and no one knew what lay beyond.

To the left and right of the fog gate are stone walls nearly ten feet high, which are difficult for cultivators at the Qi Refining stage to fly over.

Upon seeing this, both of them understood why Yan Cheng had stopped. Who knew what deadly trap might be hidden behind this fog gate?

But staying here is not a solution either.

The footsteps of the undead drew ever closer; every moment wasted here was tantamount to a countdown to everyone's deaths.

It wasn't that the two didn't believe in Yan Cheng's strength, but the number of living corpses here was simply too great.

Furthermore, there were those whose auras far surpassed the three of them, enough to rival those in the late stage of Qi Refining.

We can't delay any longer!

The two exchanged a glance, but neither had the courage to rush into the fog gate before Yan Cheng.

But then Yan Cheng sighed:

"As expected of a product of the Core Formation stage."

The Hidden Immortal Mirror couldn't see through the fog before it, but... wasn't this something it had anticipated from the very beginning?

There has never been a sure thing in the path of spiritual cultivation.

If Yan Cheng had been born into a so-called righteous sect like the Shengao Sect or Hancheng Academy in this life, perhaps he would have been able to make more arrangements for his foundation building.

However, since he was born in the Hall of Eternal Life, his chances of climbing upwards were almost nonexistent from the very beginning.

To break this deadlock, the only option is to risk your life and gamble on that slim chance!

He stepped confidently through the fog gate.

Deng Jian and Pei Yi exchanged another glance.

After a brief hesitation, the desire to find an opportunity ultimately prevailed, and he gritted his teeth and followed.

Behind the fog gate, there was nothing but a marble plaza similar to the empty plaza outside the Hall of Longevity.

Yan Cheng had anticipated this; the Hall of Longevity was aware of the situation at the Moon-Shielding Palace.

This understanding may not be in-depth, but it was enough for the palace to imitate the scenery inside and outside the Biyue Palace, creating similar buildings and scenes.

For example, the abandoned cemetery with countless white bones that the silk weaver fled on that day was obviously modeled after the stone coffins and sea of ​​corpses in this place.

Just like the square outside the Hall of Longevity, and the relationship between it and the square here.

Yan Cheng's gaze swept over the giant rocks at the edge of the square, then settled on the imposing figure kneeling on one knee in the center of the square.

It was a giant whose entire body was covered in jet-black armor.

This giant was three zhang tall, which might not have been considered tall in ancient times.

In today's world, where the giant race has long since disappeared, this is quite remarkable.

His black armor was simple and heavy, without any Dao runes inscribed on it, giving people only an impression of extreme harshness and coldness.

During the reign of the Northern Immortal Dynasty, the giant race was relegated to the lowest rung of the cultivation world in the Northern Territory and was forbidden from wearing robes and any kind of magnificent armor.

Even those as noble as a True Person or a True Lord are not allowed to violate the prohibitions.

Thus, among giants, a trend arose that valued simplicity and resilience as beauty.

The giants, who forged armor from cold iron and achieved unparalleled feats in countless fierce battles, simultaneously earned the world's respect and disgust.

Beside his knee, where he knelt, lay a jet-black halberd, even larger than the giant himself.

Also forged from cold iron, it is not known for its sharpness, but it is extremely tough and resistant to water and fire.

As countless messages were reflected in the Hidden Immortal Mirror, the purple light in Yan Cheng's eyes flickered.

"Palace Guards..."

"They were made into corpse puppets since ancient times, serving as giant guards to protect the gates of the Moon-Sheltering Palace."

Even though he's been dead for over a thousand years, the aura within this guy... is still at the Foundation Establishment level!