Strength Can't Compare to Background, Talent Can't Match Bloodline?

A Spirit Condensation Realm cultivator has a lifespan of five hundred years; achieving the Origin Return Realm grants a lifespan of three thousand.

After Origin Return, one must still break through the illusions of life and death to truly shed the shackles of lifespan.

Once the illusions of life and death are broken, with no further worry about lifespan, as long as one does not encounter a calamity, they are truly free and unfettered.

True Person Mingyun, among the Spirit Condensation Realm cultivators of Biyun Heavenly Palace, was highly skilled and had a long lifespan, so many things were allowed to go his way.

Even the Sect Master of Biyun Heavenly Palace turned a blind eye to True Person Mingyun's actions.

The others in Biyun Heavenly Palace were even less inclined to meddle and provoke a Spirit Condensation Realm cultivator with such a promising path ahead.

At this moment, True Person Mingyun was in the hall, holding a handful of spirit pills in his hand, with several luan birds dancing around him, picking the pills from his palm and swallowing them.

After swallowing the spirit pills, the feathers of those luan birds became even more beautiful and vibrant.

Just then, a Colorful Feather Luan Bird flew over, letting out a clear and melodious cry.

"Is that Caiyi? Didn't I send you to gather Seven-Colored Cloud Qi? Why have you returned?"

True Person Mingyun waved away the other luan birds and gave the remaining spirit pills in his hand to Caiyi to swallow.

Caiyi remained in her luan bird form, swallowed the spirit pills, and after refining them, felt her magical power become purer.

She shifted her thoughts, her voice crisp and carrying a hint of weakness, and said, "Reporting to True Person, Caiyi was bullied outside, and the disciples under my command were killed. That person hid within the territory of the Myriad Laws Sect, and I dared not pursue."

"Caiyi is truly pitiful, having lost face for True Person."

"Fortunately, Caiyi discovered that the Myriad Laws Sect withdrew to the Sea Domain but left behind hidden schemes, and I specially returned to inform True Person!"

True Person Mingyun's expression was amused, and he said, "Oh, the Myriad Laws Sect left behind more than one hidden scheme. Your ability to find clues is also a merit!"

"The Myriad Laws Sect abandoning Cangmang and fully retreating into the Sea Domain was decided long ago."

"As for the hidden schemes they left behind, feel free to uproot them; there's no major issue."

"If you do well, I will permit you to take human form and walk in this hall!"

Fairy Caiyi was extremely excited and said, "Many thanks, True Person. But Caiyi's cultivation is shallow. If I try to uproot the hidden schemes left by the Myriad Laws Sect, I fear I might fail. Dying myself is nothing, but if I delay True Person's and Biyun Heavenly Palace's affairs, Caiyi's death would not be enough to atone!"

True Person Mingyun laughed and said, "I see you came back eagerly, but it was to ask for a reward."

"Take this Cloud Pattern Pill and use it; it will allow you to cultivate another Supernatural Ability."

"The next time you come, if your colorful tail gains cloud patterns, it will look even better!"

True Person Mingyun tossed the Cloud Pattern Pill over, and Caiyi quickly caught it in her beak.

When she looked up again, True Person Mingyun had already vanished.

Fairy Caiyi had come here precisely to gain some benefits from True Person Mingyun.

Now that her goal was achieved, she did not linger. She flew out of Mingxia Hall, her colorful tail trailing seven-colored clouds, a truly beautiful sight.

Only after leaving the Heavenly Gate did Fairy Caiyi dare to transform into human form, plunging headlong into the layer of azure clouds and departing without looking back.

Descending from the divine mountain through the azure clouds, Fairy Caiyi suddenly felt a surge of intuition. She closed her eyes and sensed for a moment, then said coldly, "What a bold thief! The villain who killed my disciples has finally left Cangmang Mountain and revealed his trail!"

It turned out that Chen Ming had dispersed the Mountain God Yellow Scroll, and with his aura no longer concealed, he had emerged from Cangmang Mountain, triggering the talisman Fairy Caiyi had left behind.

Originally, when Chen Ming first left Cangmang Mountain, Fairy Caiyi could have sensed it.

But at that time, Fairy Caiyi had already reached Biyun Heavenly Palace, cutting off the connection. Only now, after descending from the divine mountain, did the talisman's response belatedly arrive, allowing Fairy Caiyi to learn the news.

Fairy Caiyi calculated Chen Ming's location, mounted her Colorful Feather Luan Bird, and set off toward Beichen Mountain.

On Beichen Mountain.

A bright yellow radiance and a faint wisp of smoke descended—it was Chen Ming and the Blue Lotus Monk.

The Blue Lotus Monk suddenly halted his movement and said, "Fellow Daoist, wait for me to change my form."

With that, he took out a skin pouch, slipped it over himself, and transformed into the appearance of a strange Daoist.

Chen Ming smiled at this, knowing he did not want to reveal his connection to Lotus Temple.

When the two arrived at Beichen Mountain, before long, several Heretical Path Spirit Condensation Realm cultivators came forward.

These Spirit Condensation Realm cultivators had similar auras, likely having cultivated one or two Supernatural Abilities each.

If one were to rank them among Spirit Condensation Realm cultivators, this level would be considered early Spirit Condensation Realm.

Then, a few more people arrived one after another—several Contemplation Realm cultivators.

Those Contemplation Realm cultivators gathered together and did not approach the Spirit Condensation group.

Including Chen Ming and the Blue Lotus Monk, there were eight Spirit Condensation Realm cultivators in total.

Among them, one Spirit Condensation cultivator was an old woman with a walking stick, her hair white and skin wrinkled.

She stepped forward and said, "The secret realm is dangerous. Who among you is willing to give me their Secret Token? I will trade a spirit grass for it!"

She directed these words at the Contemplation Realm cultivators.

The Secret Token was the proof needed to enter the secret realm; when the secret realm closed, holding the token made it easier to avoid losing one's way when coming out.

But one token could only be used by one person.

The old woman with crane-white hair and wrinkled skin finished speaking, but no one answered her.

"You old crone, you've got a fine scheme there—who'd be willing to trade their own opportunity for your broken spirit grass?"

"There are only so many secret tokens; you're trying to snatch someone else's chance for your own disciple!"

Another Spirit Condensation Realm Cultivator, carrying a giant axe and exuding a savage aura, mocked her.

The old woman's face immediately darkened.

"This old one's lifespan is short; I'm only scheming a little for my disciples. Do you want to oppose me?"

She lightly tapped her staff on the ground, and it transformed into nine giant pythons, rearing up with gaping maws, venom dripping from their fangs and sizzling on the earth.

The man with the giant axe, called Mountain Splitting Ghost Axe, recognized the pythons and seemed to identify the old woman as the infamous Lady Ling Snake.

Though he lost some face, Mountain Splitting Ghost Axe didn't want to clash with a Spirit Condensation Realm cultivator like Lady Ling Snake, whose lifespan was nearly spent, so he fell silent.

"A bully who only picks on the weak!"

Lady Ling Snake spat, dismissing her supernatural ability.

Mountain Splitting Ghost Axe's face flushed red, but he dared not speak—turns out he was all bark and no bite.

Those few Contemplation Realm cultivators had no choice but to hand over their secret tokens to Lady Ling Snake.

Only then did Lady Ling Snake's expression soften. She took out some spirit grass and said, "This old one acted a bit domineeringly, but it was out of necessity. It's no lie that the secret realm holds dangers for you all.

The value of this spirit grass can make up for some of your losses, and consider this old one owing you a favor!

If you ever need anything, come find me at Ling Snake Mountain!"

Lady Ling Snake wasn't just speaking empty words—she actually manifested talismans that led to Ling Snake Mountain!

In a crisis, crushing the talisman would summon a python to carry the user to Ling Snake Mountain.

For Contemplation Realm cultivators, it was a life-saving talisman.

With this blend of firmness and flexibility, Lady Ling Snake instantly dissolved the hostility in those Contemplation Realm cultivators' hearts.

Instead, they felt grateful toward her.

They thought Lady Ling Snake was considerate—as a Spirit Condensation Realm cultivator, she didn't rely on her strength to oppress them, gave ample compensation, and ensured they didn't lose out.

Chen Ming watched in awe, realizing that Lady Ling Snake was meticulous in her actions, possessing both strength and talent, yet still trapped in the Spirit Condensation Realm with her lifespan nearly spent, toiling bitterly for her disciples.

After the Contemplation Realm cultivators left, Lady Ling Snake gave the secret tokens to her own disciples, then turned to the Spirit Condensation Realm cultivators present and said:

"Alas, forgive this old one for making a spectacle of herself before fellow daoists. I truly had no other choice."