I've got someone backing me!

"You're quite alert, child; that's typical of my Holy Sect."

Although Qi Yun was filled with suspicion, he did not show any unusual expression on his face. However, the seemingly senile old True Person in front of him saw through his thoughts at a glance.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun opened his mouth to argue, but the old True Person waved his hand and said:

"No need to explain. Members of the Holy Sect are known for their intelligence bordering on the supernatural, and their suspicion bordering on the supernatural. If you don't have this instinctive vigilance, you wouldn't be a qualified member of the Holy Sect."

The old True Person's words put Qi Yun at ease.

"Ancheng (Ding Tai's courtesy name), you can go down now. Qi Yun and I Qi Yun take a walk." The old True Person waved his hand, signaling Ding Tai to step down. He then turned around with his hands behind his back and led Qi Yun toward the right-hand corridor of the Daoist temple.

"Disciple obeys." Ding Tai gave Qi Yun a look that said, "Do your best," and then left.

Walking alongside a Foundation Establishment True Person, it would be a lie to say there's no pressure.

Compared to the Foundation Establishment True Person he had met before, this old True Person before him did indeed appear much more peaceful.

The two walked silently along the right corridor.

The corridor was deep and secluded, with smooth bluestone slabs on the ground and mottled gray walls on both sides, where a few tenacious weeds could occasionally be seen peeking out from the cracks in the walls.

Outside the corridor, a small courtyard is planted with several slender bamboos, arranged in a pleasing and orderly manner. The bamboo leaves rustle softly in the wind, which further accentuates the tranquility inside the corridor, with only the echoes of two people's footsteps, some light and some heavy.

"Qi Yun, you've been a disciple for two years now. What do you think of my Holy Sect?" After walking silently for half an hour, the old True Person posed a deadly question.

Qi Yun's mind, which had just relaxed a little, tightened again. His eyes flickered slightly, and he said slowly:

"Very good. Without the Holy Sect's guidance, how could we possibly have the chance to glimpse the path to immortality? We would only have lived mediocre lives, ultimately turning into nothing more than a handful of dust."

"Hehehe, hypocrite." Upon hearing Qi Yun's reply, the old True Person chuckled twice.

"While the Holy Sect's actions are not as extreme as those of the Great Heavenly Demon Sect or the Yellow Springs Netherworld, they are not exactly peaceful either."

It's just that sects like the Great Heavenly Demon Sect openly swindle people.

The Holy Sect... mostly operates in the shadows.

Seeing the old True Person speak of the Holy Sect's cunning and treacherous nature without any hesitation, Qi Yun listened attentively, but his expression remained unchanged.

Just True Person can criticize the sect doesn't mean that a nobody from the Outer Mansion can join in the clamor.

The more you say, the more mistakes you make.

Besides, who can guarantee... this isn't a test?

Seeing that Qi Yun had no reaction, the old True Person's smile deepened.

Actually, the reason I summoned you here today is to bestow upon you an fortuitous opportunity.

Seeing that the old True Person had finally gotten to Liaozheng point, Qi Yun slightly raised his eyes, a complex emotion flashing in them.

Do you also have the fortuitous opportunity to give it to me?

He clearly remembered that he still held in his hand another "fortuitous opportunity" "given" by that True Person Yang Cuan, the outcome of which was unknown—whether it was a blessing or a curse.

"Please enlighten me True Person." Qi Yun suppressed the turmoil in his mind and replied in a deep voice.

"Thirty years ago, I was greedy for merit and reckless, intending to break through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. As a result, my inner demons erupted, and I fell into the Avici Slaughter Dao. Fortunately, the True Lord intervened and I barely managed to regain myself."

After this incident, I practiced the [Withering and Flourishing Chan] and remained in a state of dormancy for twenty years.

After waking up, although he suppressed his demonic nature, his path forward was almost completely cut off, making it virtually impossible for him to advance to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

His tone remained calm, but Qi Yun could sense the deep regret and resentment hidden beneath that calmness.

"Therefore, I plan to support someone and help him achieve the state of True Person."

In the future, when I am reincarnated and begin my cultivation again, I will rely on him to guide me back to my sect and protect my path.

And you...

With a slight pause, the old True Person slowly turned to the side, his lowered, seemingly cloudy eyes suddenly falling on Qi Yun, his gaze so profound it seemed to see right through people's hearts.

"He is one of the people I have chosen."

The old True Person's words contained a great deal of information, and even though Qi Yun was mentally prepared, it took him a while to digest them.

Why didn't the True Person let Senior Brother Ding Tai do this?

Without rushing to express his opinion, Qi Yun paused for a moment before asking the question that had been bothering him.

It's never as reassuring to hire an outsider as to hire your own disciple.

Even within the Holy Sect, one cannot be completely at ease with one's own son, but one should at least have a better understanding of him.

"Ancheng is too soft-hearted. He can get things done, but he can't achieve great things."

"He may be able to cultivate step by step to the Qi Refining Perfection, but Foundation Establishment stage, his inner demons will be raging and he will face numerous tribulations."

Given his temperament, he would have no chance of surviving and would undoubtedly die.

"What I need is not a disciple destined to fail, but a protector who has the potential to succeed." Shaking his head, the old True Person explained why he had no other choice.

"You don't need to be nervous, you're just one of the people I've chosen."

In the end, it remains to be seen who will truly become my protector.

Do you have any other questions?

After a moment of silence, his pupils trembled slightly, and Qi Yun raised his eyes to look directly at the old True Person before him:

"Benefit."

"Hehehe, very good. You are much more straightforward than the previous guys who were evasive."

On this point alone, you are better than them.

Seemingly quite satisfied with Qi Yun's straightforwardness, the old True Person said slowly:

"It has been 413 years since I achieved the Foundation Establishment Realm."

Those True Person were my contemporaries have either reached the end of their lifespan and been reincarnated to cultivate again, or their bodies have perished and their cultivation has ended, leaving no trace.

Although my strength is not the strongest among the current Inner Mansion True Person.

He paused slightly, his tone carrying a confidence and depth that had been refined over hundreds of years:

"But my financial resources are absolutely top-notch."

To put it modestly, if I want to help someone reach the Foundation Establishment Realm, I've already succeeded halfway.

Are you satisfied with this benefit?

The meaning is self-evident now that things have been said to this extent.

The full support of a Foundation Establishment True Person has accumulated wealth for over four hundred years is enough to drive any Qi Refining cultivator mad.

"Thank you for your True Person words, Master. I am willing to serve you with all my might!" A glint of light flashed in Qi Yun's eyes as he sincerely bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.

Seeing Qi Yun agree without hesitation after a brief pause, a hint of admiration appeared in the old True Person's eyes.

Bold yet meticulous, decisive yet realistic.

It is indeed a fine material worthy of being crafted.

With a flick of his palm, the old True Person suddenly produced a jade talisman, its surface shimmering with spiritual light and revealing countless magical calculations, quite wondrous.

"I've heard you have a knack for Law Technique; consider this scroll, [Blood-Guided Profound Mysteries], a small gift for you."

Qi Yun received the jade talisman for transmitting the Dharma, and his eyebrows rose slightly.

Old man... did the old True Person investigate me? Otherwise, how would he know I was looking for a method of divination and prediction?

Just as Qi Yun was filled with doubt, the old True Person walked to his side and placed a withered but unusually warm hand gently, yet with undeniable weight, on his shoulder.

"From this day forward, Qi Yun, you must remember this." The old True Person's voice was not loud, but each word was clear, carrying a strange penetrating power:

"I am your protector."

"If in the future, within the Inner Mansion, any Foundation Establishment True Person dares to disregard their reputation and try to bully you... you may simply mention my name."

Upon hearing this Qi Yun's pupils contracted, and he was shaken.

From now on... I'll have someone above me too?!

"This disciple does not yet know True Person Dharma name, Master." Qi Yun, not wanting to refuse such a free backer, cupped his hands and asked.

The old True Person slightly raised his eyes, grinned, and a fleeting glint of bloodlust flashed in his eyes:

"My surname is Deng, and my given name is Yin."

My fellow disciples all call me... Blood Demon True Person!