First achieve immortality, then cultivate immortality.

After explaining the situation, Luo Haodong didn't set off for the secret realm immediately, because he had to wait for the "World Bubble" to take shape before he could enter.

So, they first let Xu Mu and the others get to know each other.

"Brother Xu, you must be almost eighty-one years old by now, still striving to establish your foundation. Your resolve is truly unwavering," Ye Chen exclaimed.

Xu Mu smiled and said, "Age doesn't matter, as long as you can reach the Foundation Establishment stage."

This statement was echoed by a middle-aged female cultivator: "Having more time to comprehend the Great Dao should indeed give one a better chance of establishing a foundation."

"That's true, but if someone lacks comprehension, what good is spending another ten years? If they can't grasp it, they just can't," another young woman said calmly.

Of the five people from Hongshan Sect on this trip, three were men and two were women, all of whom were at the ninth level of Qi Refining and were promising talents of the sect, with the potential to reach Foundation Establishment.

"Alright, stop being so pessimistic. I hope everyone has gained something from this trip to the secret realm," Ye Chen said with a faint smile.

As the "captain" of this operation, he certainly possessed leadership qualities.

The other two men were a chubby young man and a taciturn middle-aged man.

It's clear that among them, Ye Chen has the best talent.

"Fellow Daoists, why don't we find a place to have some tea and discuss Daoist practices?" Xu Mu suggested.

Upon hearing this, the young Liu Yan glanced at him and said indifferently, "Sorry, I have something to do, I have to go first."

After saying this, she cupped her hands in a respectful gesture to the others and then turned and left.

The others also found their own reasons to leave, seemingly ignoring Xu Mu's invitation and tacitly pretending not to hear it.

Xu Mu said with a hint of helplessness, "It seems I'm the one who's confused."

He was just a rogue cultivator, and an old one at that, so he was clearly not qualified to sit down and discuss the Dao with those sect disciples.

Since that's the case, he can only go up the mountain by himself, find a scenic spot to sit down and drink tea to pass the time.

……

A few days later, Xu Mu and his group, led by Luo Haodong, headed to a place called "Wei Kong City".

To enter the secret realm, one must pass through the spatial passage of Azure Sky City; otherwise, it is illegal entry and illegal mining of the secret realm's resources.

This sounds a bit strange, but that's just how the cultivation world is today.

The rules have already been set by the major sects, and everyone else has no choice but to abide by them, or else they would be considered to have no desire to remain in the cultivation world and sit at the same table as demonic cultivators.

Furthermore, this Azure Sky City is not controlled by the Azure Mist Sect, but directly managed by the "Upper Sect," a Nascent Soul level sect.

Even a powerful sect like the Qinglan Sect doesn't have the authority to set rules; everyone who comes to Weikong City has to behave.

"It is said that a Nascent Soul True Monarch is stationed in this city," Ye Chen said with a look of admiration.

"That's not entirely accurate," Luo Haodong shook his head.

"In our 'Azure Nether Domain,' there are four immortal cities: Azure Sky City, Che Sky City, Cloud Sky City, and Martial Sky City. These are the territories of the four Nascent Soul level sects: Azure Mist Sect, Returning Crane Sect, Falling Cloud Sect, and Heavenly Sword Sect."

These four immortal cities are under the control of the upper sect, and there may be Nascent Soul stage cultivators from the upper sect stationed there, but I don't think Nascent Soul True Monarchs will stay in the cities indefinitely.

Xu Mu listened and nodded.

This senior brother Luo is a meticulous person; he always explains and elaborates in a very organized manner.

Soon, the group approached Sky City, a city perched atop a mountain, nestled on a massive flat-topped peak.

Just as they flew closer on their swords, the clouds above them churned, and a huge celestial ship emerged, like a whale swimming in a sea of ​​clouds, slowly descending onto Pingdingshan.

In other directions, all sorts of flying magical artifacts were coming and going, making their flying swords seem rather shabby.

"Truly worthy of being called the Immortal City." Xu Mu and the others gasped.

Compared to this place, places like Nanlian Valley and Wulei City are just second-rate small markets, much like the corner stores on the streets.

Only places like this are high-end venues in the cultivation world, frequented by sect elders, peerless geniuses, and top-tier second-generation immortals.

"Broaden your horizons," Luo Haodong said casually.

When he first came here, he felt the same way they did – amazed and longing.

He felt no excitement at all, because he had clearly realized that this place had nothing to do with him.

He believed that Ye Chen and the others would soon understand. In fact, if they hadn't even reached the Foundation Establishment stage, then they shouldn't even think about anything else. They were no different from ants and should just find a place at the very bottom to live out their old age in peace.

After arriving at the mountain, the group descended from the sky.

The no-fly zone within Weikong City is not a rule like that in Nanlian Valley, but rather a protective array covering the entire city, forcibly prohibiting flight.

Only those cultivators with great power or law enforcement authority, who carry some kind of decree, can fly within the magic array.

After landing, Luo Haodong led several people through the city gate and had to show their credentials from Hongshan Gate.

Without this credentials, the pathetic rogue cultivators would have no chance of entering such a place.

After entering the city gate, the magnificent streets and rows of houses were breathtaking.

There are no ordinary people here; the people cooking in the shops are all Qi Refining stage cultivators, and the dishes they serve are all of the highest quality, such as spirit rice, immortal beans, blue amber fish, and cold ghost fish.

Luo Haodong coughed lightly, drawing their attention back.

"We don't have any money, let's go straight to Star-Picking Square, and don't wander around."

This is an embarrassing statement, but it is indeed an unavoidable fact.

These few were country bumpkins who came to the city. Looking at the beautiful and prosperous city, they felt out of place because they were too poor.

……

When you arrive at the square in the south of the city along the street, the liveliness increases several times over.

However, Xu Mu and the others secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if they had returned to their group.

The monks present were all from the "countryside" and were just as ordinary as the rest of the group.

"In this situation... I finally understand why my senior brother is so obsessed with improving his cultivation level." Xu Mu sighed inwardly.

Having been here and experienced this disparity, Mu Changfeng's sense of freedom and ease was probably no longer so pure, eventually turning into an obsession that came at a great cost.

Xu Mu himself had to admit that when he saw this immortal city, he had many thoughts. To put it nicely, it was called lofty ambition; to put it bluntly, it was wishful thinking.

Fortunately, he did not forget his principles of self-preservation.

The world is dazzling and alluring, but he is a talentless bum.

As long as we survive, all the prosperity will vanish like fleeting clouds.

"This is the Star-Picking Plaza. Do you see that Inquiry Stele? It's engraved with the names of geniuses from all ages," Luo Haodong said softly, his gaze fixed on the huge, dark stone stele.

The obelisk soared into the clouds, like an arrow pointing to the sky, telling everyone to look upwards and to higher places.

Xu Mu was surprised to find that he had not noticed such a large stone tablet before entering the square.

"Senior brother, what is this Dao Asking Stele for? Is it for asking questions?" Liu Yan asked.

Luo Haodong smiled and said, "It's not for asking questions. Only those who are qualified to ask questions will have their names appear on it, representing the geniuses of an era."