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

Meanwhile, 500 miles north of the Hall of Longevity, in an abandoned cave in the northern foothills of the mountains.

This place was once the secluded retreat of a rogue cultivator of the Cold Qi realm. The original owner has been gone for many years, and his spirit has transformed into a Foundation Establishment level spiritual object called "Frost Pine Leaf," which is a good material for refining a Foundation Establishment-supporting elixir for Cold Qi cultivators.

At this very moment, Dongming was holding this pine needle-shaped spiritual object in his hand, admiring it and exclaiming:

"Although it comes from the remnants of a rogue cultivator, its quality is excellent."

"Even within the sect, such high-quality items are rare."

"It's a pity that Bai Xianren is dead, otherwise this item could have fetched a good price if sold to Hancheng Academy."

Deep within the cave, a voice, sweet in tone yet sharp in its words, rang out:

"You, a mere Qi Refining cultivator, really think that old dog Bai would make some kind of fair deal with you?"

"Given the hypocritical practices of those Confucian scholars, they would openly exchange a large amount of resources for you, and then mysteriously disappear without a trace."

"These Confucian scholars who built mansions, palaces, and roads, could not use the spiritual resources and materials they received, yet they could not bear to see others benefit from them."

"Although the Taiyin demonic cultivator is hateful, killing this old dog is a great relief."

Dongming dared not argue with his uncle, who was still recovering from his injuries and in a particularly bad mood, and could only reply:

"What my uncle says is absolutely right."

"In fact, given my status and position as the founder of the Shen Gao Sect, I should not associate with such petty people as Confucianists and Buddhists."

"Now that Master has shown himself in the northern foothills, both the righteous and demonic paths are fleeing at the mere sight of him. There is no need to share the opportunities in the north with either of them."

Miaoyu smiled softly; despite being a Foundation Establishment cultivator, her voice sounded weak and lacking in energy.

"That's a way of speaking that's very much in line with the style of the orthodox Xuanmen sect."

"It's a pity that you were born with a deficiency. After cultivating for so many years, you have never reached the peak of Qi Refining."

"Otherwise, if we join forces, with the combined strength of two Foundation Establishment cultivators, who can stand against us on this northern slope?"

Dongming was not as optimistic as she was; after all, there was still the Palace of Longevity.

Among the five courts and twelve halls of the Taiyin Demon Sect, the Hall of Longevity has always been the most enthusiastic about exploring the various secret realms of the North.

According to the intelligence gathered by the sect, the Lord of the Longevity Palace, the only True Immortal who has reached the Core Formation stage, is not in ideal condition and has not left the palace for many years.

This person is a master of magical artifacts, and his combat strength in his own territory is said to be comparable to that of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

However, considering the rumors that his lifespan is coming to an end, it is still unknown how much fighting power he still has.

Although Dongming had always felt that something was amiss about this matter.

Logically speaking, as a master of the ancient method of embracing the elixir, the Lord of the Longevity Palace should theoretically have a lifespan of over six hundred years.

This person is only a figure who has emerged in the last few hundred years. To say that he is already nearing the end of his lifespan is a bit too early.

Could this be a false message released to lure the righteous path into a large-scale northward advance?

Dongming shook his head.

Even disregarding the unknown situation of the Lord of the Hall of Longevity, there are at least five Foundation Establishment cultivators in good condition in the Hall of Longevity, which surpasses the forces that any of the thirteen kingdoms of the Northern Territory could mobilize.

Zhong Tianying is in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, with unparalleled combat power.

Let alone Aunt Miaoyu alone, even if I were to instantly become a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the two of them working together would probably not be a match for this [Flowing Fire] demonic cultivator.

He knew Miaoyu disliked hearing such discouraging words, so he forced a smile and said:

"Although I am not talented, my junior sister is exceptionally gifted and cannot be compared to ordinary people."

"She not only received the moonlight in the Moon-Hidden Palace, but also received the 'True Bone Jade Skeleton Book' from her master, and successfully switched to the Taiyin path."

"When the time comes, she will reach the Taiyin Foundation Establishment stage, enjoying boundless glory!"

Knowing more about the inside story, Miaoyu was clearly not as optimistic as Dongming; her voice was low and somber.

"The Book of True Bones and Jade Remains?"

"Senior Brother Miaohe truly favors that child; he even made a trip to the Western Sea to exchange for this cultivation technique."

"However, if she were to become the foundation of this [White Jade Scale] Immortal... it might not be a good thing for the sect."

"I fear it will never come true, and I will instead become a trapped snake or dragon in a deep pool."

Dongming didn't know what she meant by those words, but seeing Miaoyu's gloomy tone, he didn't dare to ask further.

But then Miaoyu said:

"Even if Ling Qiao succeeds, she definitely won't be able to achieve it before the opening of [Cold Iron City]."

"If my injuries haven't healed, I'll still be counting on you to come."

Dongming had anticipated this and was not surprised, only whispering:

"But I don't understand... The rumors about that place have already spread in the Yan and Liang states. It's just the place where someone who has achieved enlightenment through the Foundation Establishment of Cold Qi has attained enlightenment."

"The importance that Zongli attaches to this place seems to be even greater than when they were at Biyue Palace..."

"This disciple once asked Master about this, but he never responded. I just don't know..."

Miaoyu smiled:

"I was initially surprised. You're a disciple of a True Immortal, how could you believe the rumors spread by those rogue cultivators?"

"It seems our senior brother has once again become a riddle-maker. He's really quite carefree; isn't he afraid you'll get lost and die in Cold Iron City without a clue?"

Her voice suddenly turned low:

Listen carefully.

"The so-called place of enlightenment for rogue cultivators of cold qi is nothing but a rumor deliberately spread by the sect in various countries to confuse the Taiyin Demon Sect."

"The appearance of a secret realm on the northern slopes is something that the Demonic Sect cannot hide from its eyes and ears."

"Although the demonic cultivators are greedy, it is impossible for them to explore every secret realm that appears in the world. At most, they will send a few dispensable corpse cultivators."

"The cultivators of the Hall of Longevity have cultivated in the Netherworld for a hundred years and do not value the path of Cold Qi. They would never send a Foundation Establishment cultivator to Cold Iron City."

At this point, Miaoyu smiled slightly:

"As a high-ranking priest of the Divine Proclamation Sect, surely you can't even handle a few Qi Refining stage corpse cultivators?"

Dongming smiled wryly and said:

"Although I am not good at combat, I have accumulated some foundation after being stuck in the late stage of Qi Refining for so many years."

But then Miaoyu said:

"The problem with this trip to Cold Iron City wasn't with the Taiyin Demon Sect, but rather..."

She paused in her speech:

Have you heard of the Han family?

Dongming was taken aback:

"The Han family?"

Miaoyu said:

"You've grown up in the sect since you were little, so it's normal that you haven't heard of it."

"However, hundreds of years ago, the Han clan of Beilu was a True Monarch Immortal Clan that even the Taiyin Demon Sect had to avoid.

Her tone was tinged with emotion:

"Back then... the [Cold Qi] path was not as weak and powerless as it is now."

"The Han family claims to be direct descendants of the Three Pure Ones, and also has a True Lord in the world. They cultivate the Northern Territory's Manifestation Path. In the past, their power was even comparable to that of my Divine Proclamation Sect."

Dongming was both surprised and suspicious:

"Even if a True Monarch were to perish and his bloodline were to disperse, such a large family would surely leave behind at least the slightest trace."

"But why... has this disciple never even heard of the Han family?"

Miaoyu chuckled lightly:

"The reason is simple."

"It was the Taiyin Demon Sect that destroyed the Han clan back then... These demons have always acted without leaving any room for maneuver. The only reason we still know the name of the Han clan today is because we are both descendants of the Three Pure Ones!"

"The Demon Clan destroyed the Han Clan three hundred years ago, obtaining the complete inheritance of [Cold Qi]. The Han Clan's True Monarch was also surrounded and killed on the spot."

"However, there is a remnant lineage that has wandered far to a secret realm east of the northern foothills, barely clinging to life, waiting for the day when another legacy sealed away by the True Lord before his demise will be opened."

A sudden realization dawned:

"But what about Cold Iron City..."

Miaoyu said softly:

"This is the very place where the remnants of the True Lord Han are located. As long as the descendants of the Han clan have a breath left, they will surely fight for it."

"That lineage from back then wasn't some distant branch, but rather a direct descendant of the True Lord."

"Even though this secret realm is like other secret realms, it only allows Qi Refining cultivators to enter."

"The Han family's Qi Refining level is that of a True Monarch bloodline, which is incomparable to ordinary cultivators of the same realm!"

The Foundation Establishment cultivator gave a cold laugh as he spoke of this:

"I have no choice but to accept that... you are not a practitioner of Taiyin."

"The Han family carries a century-old blood feud and hates Taiyin cultivators the most."

"If the Demonic Sect dares to send its direct descendants who cultivate the Yin energy to Cold Iron City, their fate... will surely be to be sent to keep their Yin Immortal Lord company!"