First achieve immortality, then cultivate immortality.

Five Thunder City.

Xu Mu had not been here for twelve years. The last time he came was when he had just broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining.

After that, she stayed home to keep the two sisters company and didn't go out.

Looking back now, almost nothing has changed.

Twelve years is a long time for mortals, but it is nothing in the world of cultivation.

We arrived at Riyuexuan.

So many years have passed, and the person behind the counter is still Hong Ling, like a fixed-position signboard girl NPC.

Even his appearance hadn't changed; it remained as indifferent as ever, without any expression or emotion.

"Miss Hongling, it's been a long time," Xu Mu greeted her with a smile.

"Long time no see," Hongling replied casually.

Xu Mu took out his storage bag and handed her the spiritual fertilizer he had stored for several years.

Hong Ling glanced at it and said indifferently, "I haven't been here for so many years. I thought you could make even higher-grade spirit fertilizer."

"There's nothing I can do, the conditions are limited. Let's talk about it after I reach the Foundation Establishment stage." Xu Mu shrugged.

"Oh? Is that so? I thought you weren't planning on reaching the Foundation Establishment stage." Hong Ling said calmly, with a hint of sarcasm.

Anyone who saw Xu Mu's actions would be confused.

Despite being young and already at the late stage of Qi Refining, he didn't rush to Foundation Establishment. Instead, he went to the mortal realm to tinker with spiritual fertilizers, and it took him many years to finally reach the ninth level of Qi Refining.

Xu Mu smiled and said, "I'm preparing to establish my foundation, but I don't have any Foundation Establishment Pills on hand, so I'd like to ask your shop for help."

"Sure, as long as you can afford the price," Hongling said calmly.

"Uh... I can't afford a Foundation Establishment Pill. I'd like to go directly into the secret realm to take a look. Does your shop have any channels for that?"

"You want to comprehend the Dao on your own without using Foundation Establishment Pills?" Hong Ling raised an eyebrow, clearly a little surprised.

Xu Mu nodded and shrugged, saying, "This is the only way. Otherwise, how would I have gotten a Foundation Establishment Pill?"

The Foundation Establishment Pill is a third-grade pill, and he currently lacks the conditions to cultivate third-grade alchemy techniques. Moreover, he would need to collect the necessary materials and then enter the secret realm to refine it.

Since entering the secret realm is necessary anyway, why not just experience it for yourself?

In ancient times, the Three-Turn Alchemy Technique was a required subject for cultivators; those who could not master the Three-Turn Alchemy Technique were not qualified to establish their foundation.

Things have completely changed now. Resources are monopolized, and the vast majority of Qi Refining stage cultivators do not have the conditions to cultivate the Third Stage Alchemy Technique. They can only consume Foundation Establishment Pills refined by others, resulting in a very low success rate.

In this situation, the best approach is actually to perceive the Dao through one's own senses.

After all, modern cultivators practice Qi refining techniques, not alchemy techniques; comprehending the Great Dao on their own is the true manifestation of talent.

Although he lacks talent, he has accumulated experience over such a long period of time and is still quite confident. Now he just needs an opportunity.

The unique environment within the secret realm presented the opportunity he was looking for.

"Would you like to pay with these spirit fertilizers?" Hong Ling waved the storage bag in her hand.

"What? Isn't this much spirit fertilizer enough? It's just a piece of information, not some secret. Why does it cost so much?"

Hongling pondered for a moment, then said calmly, "Wait a moment, I will report to my master and ask her to make a decision."

After saying that, she left the counter, took the storage bag, and walked into the shadows.

That shadow was no ordinary shadow.

The entire pavilion was covered by multiple magic arrays, but Xu Mu's skill was insufficient to see through their secrets.

A little while later, Hongling returned to the counter, placed the empty storage bag on it, and pushed it over.

"My master instructed me to give you a discount," she said calmly.

"Thank you very much then." Xu Mu politely cupped his hands in thanks.

Although he felt it was still too expensive, he was willing to accept it as long as he could get the chance to establish his foundation.

The value of a transaction lies in who needs it more.

……

After leaving Riyue Pavilion, Xu Mu departed from Wulei City and headed south towards the Qinglan Mountains.

He had visited the outer villages south of the Qinglan Sect before. There were more rivers and lakes there, and the resources for spiritual fields, planting, and breeding were much richer than in the north.

With abundant resources, a large number of people gathered, forming various sects and aristocratic families of all sizes.

What he was looking for was a Core Formation level sect called "Hongshan Sect," which was the channel given to him by Riyuexuan to enter the secret realm.

The reason it's so complicated is because he's a rogue cultivator and has no human rights.

In this era where resources are monopolized by various forces, independent cultivators are not even qualified to sit at the table; it's as if they're about to put up a sign saying "No independent cultivators or dogs allowed."

However, even those who practice independently have their own methods.

Many small sects and aristocratic families have the name but lack the manpower.

After all, the cultivators who enter the secret realm are all at the ninth level of Qi Refining, aiming to comprehend the Dao. If others don't have that strength, they'll just be punching bags if they go in.

Moreover, large sects have many disciples, who can band together to seize resources and gain a numerical advantage.

When facing large sects, small sects and minor families are no different from independent cultivators; they are both the weaker party.

Therefore, under these circumstances, small sects and aristocratic families choose to recruit powerful independent cultivators to form teams, which is mutually beneficial.

……

Hong Chengshan.

From a distance, it looks like a silver ribbon hanging down from the mountains.

The roaring torrents rush down, giving one a profound sense of the power of nature.

It is said that Hongshan Sect is famous for its water-based magic, and it is through this waterfall, which is described as "like the Milky Way falling from the heavens," that one can gain insight into its artistic conception.

"A place blessed with outstanding people and beautiful scenery, a wonderful place."

Xu Mu sighed and walked up the mountain path at a leisurely pace, appreciating the scenery along the way.

At this moment, he transformed back into an old man, exuding more composure and a steadiness honed by the years.

"Fellow Daoist, please wait. This is private property."

Suddenly a voice rang out in the mountains.

Xu Mu stopped, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, and said, "I am Xu You, and I have come to pay my respects to your esteemed sect, Hongshan Sect."

"Oh?"

A refined-looking man in white appeared and politely asked, "What brings you here?"

This person was none other than a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.

Xu Mu became even more polite and said, "Greetings, fellow Daoist. I am a rogue cultivator who wishes to enter the secret realm to seek a breakthrough. I have come here to pay my respects through an introduction."

As he spoke, he took out an identification card and handed it over.

Liu Yuebai raised his hand and pulled the identity token into his hand. Although he didn't recognize it, he sensed the aura of a Core Formation cultivator within it and nodded, saying, "In that case, come with me into the mountain first, and I will inform my master."

"Yes." Xu Mu cupped his hands in response, then flew on his sword, soaring into the air and following the other party into the deep mountains.

The two chatted as they flew.

Liu Yuebai gave his name and then asked him where he came from.

"I come from Five Thunder City," Xu Mu replied politely and frankly.

Liu Yuebai nodded, his impression of him was not bad, and he treated him with courtesy.

Soon we arrived at the main peak of Hongshan Gate.

The pavilions and palaces on the mountain peaks, apart from their size, are no less impressive than those of the Qinglan Sect.

Xu Mu was arranged to stay in a welcoming hall, where he was entertained by other disciples.

Liu Yuebai, carrying his identity token, went to report to the sect's only Core Formation stage cultivator, who was also their master.

Xu Mu sat down and drank tea, behaving himself properly and not looking around.

However, he was inwardly weighing the difference between a Core Formation stage sect and a Nascent Soul stage sect.

Previously, what he saw in the city were all treasure pavilions set up by sects, and they seemed to be no different from each other, all doing business in the same way.

To my surprise, the actual situation was quite different.