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

Yan Cheng had realized early on his cultivation journey that the more ancient the cultivation method, the fewer profound techniques it contained for cultivators at lower levels.

In the eyes of ancient cultivators, Qi Refining cultivators haven't even mastered the most basic skills, yet they still go and practice all sorts of random techniques. Isn't that just a waste of time?

The principle is the same as when a child learns to read and write. He must first learn to recognize and write characters before he can study different calligraphic styles. There is no such thing as the other way around.

Among these ancient cultivation methods, only those contents that can help break through to the next level are regarded as the truly important essentials and are described in great detail.

Just like the method of condensing innate true qi in the "Yin Yang Su Cui Miao He Xuan Jing".

Therefore, when Yan Cheng proposed dual cultivation to Wang Qing, he wasn't entirely joking.

This concerns a full 30% success rate for Foundation Establishment; who would joke about something like this?

If dual cultivation is inevitable, Yan Cheng would rather cultivate with Wang Qing than with Pei Yi, whose eyes are gentle and who seems ready to offer herself at any moment.

This will be the first time this body has been used by humans, and he has high expectations for it.

Wang Qing wanted to discuss this matter again after she revised her cultivation technique and broke through to the mid-stage.

Yan Cheng also hoped to reach the later stage of dual cultivation before engaging in dual cultivation, opening up the Qi Palace between his eyebrows, so as to maximize the benefits brought by dual cultivation.

Anyway, he wanted to engage in dual cultivation because he hoped to make further progress in his cultivation, not because of lust.

Since becoming a corpse cultivator in the Yin body, and practicing the extremely Yin and cold techniques of the Upper Yin lineage, Yan Cheng has gained complete control over his physical desires.

The desire to appreciate beauty is something that everyone possesses.

Only those who are not burdened by the desires that everyone has are truly suited for cultivation and are poised to attain enlightenment.

Yan Cheng sat cross-legged, his gaze deep and unfathomable:

That's what they say...

"But Fellow Daoist Wang Qing, whether you can truly live to break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining is still very much uncertain."

……

Three days later, at midnight.

On the open ground outside the Hall of Longevity, an enormous mechanical hawk had been placed there at some unknown time.

The hawk's body is crafted with an exquisite structure that surpasses the craftsmanship inherited from the Hall of Longevity, and its frame is made of refined steel that has been tempered by the Yang Fire.

The surface of the enormous wings is covered with a piece of black cloth as thin as a cicada's wing, which at first glance faintly shimmers, reminiscent of the skin of some unknown monster.

This item is the "Mountain-Climbing Hawk," a magical artifact used by cultivators of the Longevity Palace to conceal their tracks when venturing beyond the Misty Sea.

The cultivators would hide under the wings of a hawk, and the one who controlled the magical artifact would infuse it with spiritual power to guide them. The artifact would then transport the cultivators to the location designated by the wielder.

This device moves at an extremely fast speed, covering a distance of a hundred miles in just a few moments, making it an indispensable treasure for cultivators in the palace when traveling.

Its only drawback is probably that it cannot fly.

However, flight is not an ability that Qi Refining cultivators should even dream of possessing.

That was the privilege of Foundation Establishment cultivators. Mortals and lower-level cultivators could only look up and yearn for the immortal cultivators soaring in the high heavens.

And then they fantasize that some of the lucky ones among them might one day be able to look down from that high sky and look down on all living beings.

In Yan Cheng's view, the inability to fly, the mountain hawk alone, was far beyond what the Hall of Longevity could create on its own at this moment.

The group of guys who were tinkering with talisman arrays and pill artifacts on the third floor were all promoted from among corpse cultivators. Yan Cheng didn't know what kind of people they were.

Moreover, the material used to forge these hawk wings is [Shadow Beast Hide].

'The pelts stripped from a Qi Refining Perfection level Shadow Beast...'

Yan Cheng slowly walked to the side of the giant wing of the mountain hawk, his gaze cold as he looked at the black skin above his head that faintly glowed with green light.

"This kind of thing isn't something the reclusive cultivators of the Longevity Palace could obtain; it must be a gift from their sect."

"Of the five courts and twelve halls of the Immortal Sect, the Hall of Longevity seems to be located at the southernmost part of the Northern Mountain Range, meaning it is the front line against the righteous sects."

"The high-ranking cultivators in the hall are only thinking about how to scheme against the lower-ranking cultivators; they're unlikely to contribute much to the sect's affairs."

"If the clan doesn't bestow some good things upon us soon, then there's no point in playing anymore."

However, upon recalling the figure of the immortal cultivator riding a crane northward that day, and looking at the aesthetically unappealing iron bird above his head, Yan Cheng found it difficult to hold any hope for the future of the Immortal Sect.

Forget it, what does the future of the Immortal Sect have to do with him, a low-to-middle-class nobody who hasn't even just landed yet?

He glanced back and saw that the young girl, Wang Qing, was following him almost step by step, completely lacking the self-restraint and demeanor of a former Foundation Establishment cultivator.

She seemed afraid that if she were to stray even a moment from his side, she would be devoured alive by Pei Yisheng, who would occasionally cast malicious glances at her.

The female cultivator had spent several days with Yan Cheng, and her face seemed to have turned a pale red from the cold air emanating from his cultivation.

Her body, draped in a light veil, swayed as weakly as a willow in the biting wind; the phrase "so pitiful to behold" would be an understatement.

Deng Jian and Li Bai, both mid-stage corpse cultivators, were not lecherous, but upon seeing her expression, they couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

Senior Brother Yan Cheng's determination to seek the Dao is truly unwavering.

He seemed to show no pity for such a delicate and tender beauty, like a lamb, and in just a few days he had tormented her into this state!

Only Pei Yi muttered to himself:

"A novice who can't withstand dual cultivation."

"If it were me, it wouldn't be difficult to reverse the process and make Senior Brother Yan Cheng unable to walk."

"Unfortunately, my senior brother seems to be deeply influenced by Southern aesthetics; he really likes these delicate little flowers."

Yan Cheng naturally knew that Wang Qing was faking it, so he simply coldly withdrew his gaze, not wanting the guy to feel excessive attention.

Not only at this moment, but whenever this female cultivator was weak, fierce, submissive, or restless, her performance was always interspersed with a heavy element of acting.

Compared to her cultivation as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Yan Cheng felt that Wang Qing's acting skills were more worthy of learning.

I was still quite inexperienced and was almost fooled by her at first, thinking she was really a fierce and unyielding person.

How could someone who is just a rogue cultivator, yet has managed to reach the Foundation Establishment stage in the Northern Mountain Range, be a fool who values ​​principles and bottom lines more than the road ahead?

The people of the North are brave and fierce, and they despise those who use underhanded tactics.

Those who survive to the end and rise to high positions are often the very people who are least popular in the public eye.

This once again illustrates the importance of adopting an upward-looking perspective.

If a person lives according to the expectations of the masses, then naturally he can only remain at the level of the masses.

Throughout history, which of those who have achieved something truly embodied the generosity and chivalry of the conventional sense?

Yan Cheng didn't know how well such people could live in the Northern Territory outside of the Immortal Sect.

But it's certain that they won't live long in the palace.

He silently gazed at Tiantong, who stood alone at the hawk's head.

But then, the senior brother in his flowing white cloak turned around and looked back, a smile colder than ice and snow on his lips.

"Gentlemen, the time has come."

"Our hope for advancement lies in this moment, right now."

Tiantong raised his eyes, his gaze bright, and laughed wildly:

"This concerns your future and the great path ahead; do not succumb to the cowardly hesitation and fear for your life!"