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

Yan Cheng couldn't help but feel relieved that his stay in the Biyue Palace for so many days had not been in vain.

His superb acting skills and stable emotions made him confident that he would not reveal any flaws even in front of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The other party clearly did not have the means to directly search his memories, otherwise there would have been no need to ask this question.

Since that's the case, let's just say the story we prepared beforehand.

"...That's how it happened."

"This disciple has never seen Senior Sister Huang in the Biyue Palace, so I have no idea what calamity she has suffered."

"The lady is kind and loving, caring for her disciples as if they were her own flesh and blood. I can only admire and respect her for this."

"But the moon has its phases, and people have their ups and downs... These are things that are beyond human control."

The lady remained silent.

Yan Cheng's heart began to beat faster.

He dared not form hand seals in front of the lady, and in fact did not know whether the immortal foundation she cultivated had the ability to discern the truthfulness of words.

However, as the old saying goes, if the other party has this ability, he has no way to defend against it. He should just do what he should do.

Now that Yan Cheng has mastered the "Shadow Following Secret Technique," he can summon Mi Niang at any time through the fateful bond between them.

Conversely, if Mi Niang cooperates properly, transferring Yan Cheng to Biyue Palace would not be difficult.

This escape route gave him confidence; as long as the person in front of him didn't kill him instantly, everything would be fine.

Although he was well aware that doing so was tantamount to entrusting his life to the other party's single thought.

"Tingtian Tong said, the [Dream Performance] is not a lineage specializing in combat; at least, it cannot compare to the various killing techniques of the Five Elements cultivators."

The strange sorcery of ancient shamanistic practices is mostly functional, not directly used for attacking or killing opponents.

"However, the difference in realm and rank is ultimately there, and we're currently on her territory. If she really intends to kill me, I might not be able to escape in time!"

Yan Cheng's thoughts were clear:

"There's nothing we can do about it. She's at the Foundation Establishment stage, so it's only natural that she can control the life and death of cultivators below that level."

"If I were in their shoes, I could naturally control the fate of cultivators with a single thought. Otherwise, what's the point of cultivation?"

If we say that improving oneself by any means is the essence of the Taiyin Immortal Sect's tradition.

The very thing that gave rise to this tradition is the martial mindset of the Northern Territory, which has always valued strength.

The strong should dominate the weak; only the inherently weak find this unacceptable.

Yan Cheng will not always be the weak one.

But the lady said:

"Cheng'er means that Tong'er is not destined to achieve enlightenment and establish a foundation."

Yan Cheng said:

"This disciple's cultivation is too low to speak presumptuously."

The lady said:

"You cultivate the Way of Absorbing Qi and Devouring Spirit, absorbing the spiritual essence of heaven and earth to increase your own power. Once you reach a certain level, your rank and destiny will follow."

"Therefore, your thinking is based on results: if someone has already cultivated to the Foundation Establishment stage, they are naturally destined to become a Foundation Establishment cultivator; otherwise, how can you explain their achievement?"

"However, in the shamanistic path I practice, fate is something that can be calculated."

"The thickness or thinness of one's destiny determines the probability of one attaining enlightenment."

She sighed softly:

"At least in my opinion, Tong'er has no special destiny."

Yan Cheng's heart stirred, and then she said:

"However, this is not enough to hinder one's path. How many people in this world are born with their own destiny?"

"Few are born with a destiny, but many achieve the Foundation Establishment stage."

"If a person has innate talent and ample opportunities, they can build a foundation for immortality and live to be three hundred years old. Originally, they didn't necessarily need the blessing of destiny."

"Most importantly, you need the support of adults behind you, or at least their tacit approval of your achievements."

Her gaze suddenly brightened, like a pair of stars shooting towards Yan Cheng:

"Just like you..."

"Even if one is not born with the destiny of the Taiyin, one can still receive the teachings and be valued by the masters."

"The path ahead will be no different from that of fate, and perhaps even more so."

Yan Cheng's expression hardened, realizing that the other party suspected that the unusual phenomenon that Taiyin had manifested that day was related to him. He simply lowered his eyes and said:

"This disciple only knows to diligently cultivate himself, and will not disappoint you great masters."

The lady nodded in agreement.

"Knowing how to think this way is your strength."

"But where in this world can one achieve something extraordinary without striving, without any struggle, and simply by ethereal grace?"

"Your master was once the chief disciple of the Xuan Tang True Man. He possessed a yang body and was endowed with yin essence. His talent was exceptional and unparalleled. Yet, he still could not obtain a share of the Moon Laurel Pure Yin Mysterious Essence from the sect."

"In the end, it was only after hundreds of years that Tianying, with her outstanding abilities, managed to secure a share for him."

"The world is inherently a place of great strife. If one has the heart to follow the Dao, one can even abandon one's parents, wife, and children. How can mere titles and honors among fellow disciples be considered obstacles?"

At this point, a heavy sense of helplessness seemed to permeate her voice:

"Only those who, like myself, severed their path early on have the leisure to care for their descendants."

"Go ahead."

"I will tell Chang'er to stop making things difficult for you. Now that Tong'er is dead, she should focus on her own Foundation Establishment and stop dwelling on the grudges between you in the past."

Yan Cheng, however, did not move at all, but seized the opportunity to ask the most crucial question:

"I once heard my senior brother Tiantong say that the Taiyin Immortal Lord once shot down the sun."

"This caused later generations of solar cultivators to fear that lunar cultivators would slaughter them to achieve their visions."

"Even if I have no such intention, it is difficult for me to gain the trust of the Holy Maiden, and I dare not gamble my life and future on her single thought."

"Once she achieves Foundation Establishment, I fear I won't be allowed to live."

The lady smiled:

"Don't underestimate the significance of a Taiyin Foundation Establishment cultivator."

"In the past, she didn't know if you could succeed, so she naturally thought of taking action to ruin your path and eliminate future troubles."

"But since you've already reached the later stages of cultivation, there's a real chance you'll succeed."

"In your master's eyes, your role is extremely valuable, even more so than that of a corpse cultivator who cultivates the sun..."

"Back then, he joined a sect and diligently sought to cultivate the Taiyin Dao, but to no avail."

"Although he later obtained the Golden Elixir and acquired supernatural powers, he still had an obsession with the words 'Taiyin'."

"There is one more thing, which perhaps I shouldn't be the one to say, but..."

The lady's lips parted slightly:

"He cultivates the Netherworld Path. Although the Great Sun Radiant Gold Essence is precious, it is not something he can use."

"It's nothing more than offering it to the sect in exchange for something else."

"In his eyes, is a Foundation Establishment cultivator who can absorb the essence of the sun truly as precious as a Taiyin Foundation Establishment cultivator who can bring him immense joy simply by sitting in the palace?"

Yan Cheng said no more, bowed, and left.

Before leaving, he naturally didn't forget to secretly form a hand seal under his sleeve and glanced at the Foundation Establishment female cultivator in front of him.

The next moment, his eyes revealed a deep shock.

Fortunately, the lady seemed to have closed her eyes and was no longer looking at him, nor did she notice anything unusual about his expression.

It resembles a peacefully sleeping Guanyin statue.