“Since the Fairy said I was heading in the wrong direction, do you have any other advice?” Zhang Xian asked.

Yun Wanqing spoke slowly. “Over these years, while running around for my daughter, I’ve only gained some immature insights. Fellow Daoist, are you aware of the method of ‘Bing Jie’ for re-cultivation?”

“‘Bing Jie’… it’s only mentioned in legends within ancient texts. It’s said to be an immortal technique used by Tribulation Crossing stage cultivators for reincarnation and restarting cultivation. But in the Southern Region, forget Tribulation Crossing, there isn’t even a single Soul Formation cultivator. I’ve only seen scattered records.”

In recent years, Zhang Xian had worn out countless ancient texts trying to find a method to break through the False Core stage.

It was widely known that cultivation realms progressed in order: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Soul Formation, Void Refinement, Body Integration, Tribulation Crossing, and Mahayana. But in the Southern Region, the pinnacle of cultivation techniques and realms only reached Nascent Soul.

The path of Bing Jie was considered by many to be mere fantasy from storybooks.

Yun Wanqing nodded slightly. “Although the path of Bing Jie seems illusory and intangible, it gave me an idea. What if one used puppet techniques to nurture a false body, keeping it consistent with one’s own self, only supplementing the missing parts of oneself? Then, by finding a way to transfer one’s spiritual consciousness into it… could that not be understood as Bing Jie re-cultivation?”

Preposterous! Audacious to the extreme!

Zhang Xian was stunned. This woman appeared as soft and gentle as water, yet she could conceive such a method of changing bodies to restart cultivation, although there were still many flaws and impractical aspects in its implementation.

Yun Wanqing thought she had frightened him and said somewhat awkwardly, “Fellow Daoist probably thinks I’m indulging in wild fantasies.”

Zhang Xian shook his head. “Pavilion Master jests. I too was trapped at the innate stage for many years before entering Qi Refining. The Pavilion Master’s struggle against fate for her daughter commands admiration.”

The phrase “struggle against fate” struck a chord deep within Yun Wanqing’s heart, encapsulating all the hardships she had endured over these years.

The two conversed at length about the path of Bing Jie. Yun Wanqing, worthy of being a late Golden Core stage cultivator with a noble status and broad perspective, proposed some concepts that offered Zhang Xian fresh insights.

After several cups of tea had cooled, Yun Wanqing remarked casually, “Fellow Daoist, why have you stayed in the city all this time instead of going to one of the Six Great Powers? With their foundation, you might gain much more.”

Zhang Xian sighed softly. “The city at least has protective formations. If I went to one of the Six Great Powers with my lowly cultivation level and carrying heavy treasures, I would inevitably encounter unscrupulous individuals. The Zhao Family from Shuiyun City serves as a cautionary tale.”

Yun Wanqing expressed understanding. She had previously heard from Yun Xi that due to some special reasons, the power behind Zhang Xian could not come to this major world; only Zhang Xian himself acted as their representative. With merely Foundation Establishment cultivation yet possessing millions of spirit stones, it was normal to be cautious.

She thought for a moment, then took out a golden long shuttle and offered it to Zhang Xian. “This is a Boundary-Piercing Shuttle. I gift it to you, Fellow Daoist. If you encounter danger, you can activate it to preserve your life.”

Zhang Xian’s eyes lit up. This Boundary-Piercing Shuttle was a fine treasure! It could ignore various formation restrictions and shatter space to escape. However, the cost was great: it required consuming a cultivator’s vital essence blood to activate. The escape location was also random, and it could only be used once.

Even so, possessing it equated to having one chance to save one’s life. This treasure was worth at least several hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones and was practically impossible to buy.

Zhang Xian did not refuse. With a smile, he accepted it and repeatedly expressed his thanks. He thought to himself that with this Boundary-Piercing Shuttle as a trump card, perhaps he really could visit the Six Great Powers.

“If I were indeed to go to the Six Great Powers, does Pavilion Master have any suggestions?”

Yun Wanqing pondered for a moment before lightly tapping her fingertip. A mist formed before her eyes, coalescing into six faint silhouettes.

“The Six Great Powers have legacies spanning over ten thousand years; their vision is beyond that of ordinary cultivators,” she explained eloquently. “Aside from Penglai Immortal Island, with whom we have little interaction, the other five sects… with my Cloud Raiment Pavilion’s endorsement, Fellow Daoist can visit them all.”

Zhang Xian nodded. Penglai Immortal Island was essentially a group of “technical otakus” dedicated to alchemy and crafting mechanisms.

Zhang Xian had initially held high hopes for them but later heard that even the island master’s only son lacked Spirit Roots—a mortal attempting cultivation. He had painstakingly researched and developed the False Core technique. However, when he attempted his breakthrough to the False Core stage some years ago… his False Core shattered, and his realm collapsed. Now, the grass on his grave was already several meters high.

“The Lingxu Sect excels in Sword Dao; their ‘Taixu Sword Sutra’ emphasizes nurturing spirit through the sword. Like Fellow Daoist’s origins, they also originated from a minor world before gradually growing stronger. This Jade Capital City is essentially their backyard.”

Zhang Xian acknowledged with an “Mhm.” Long Zhi was the chief among the Lingxu Sect’s second-generation elders—a peak Golden Core stage cultivator. With no Nascent Soul old monsters appearing in the Southern Region, she was rightfully considered number one. And her disciple, Yang Poxiao, had been making quite a name for himself recently; news about him frequently surfaced these past few years.

“The Great Xia Dynasty resembles secular world dynasties more closely; they possess the most solid foundation. They govern almost all cities and mortals within the cultivation world; the prolonged peace in the Southern Region has been maintained under their leadership as well. They maintain the closest relationship with our Cloud Raiment Pavilion.”

Having read history, Zhang Xian knew that the entire Southern Region was once a vast feudal empire; the other five major powers later gained independence.

“Shan Chanyuan practices Buddhism. In theory, Buddhist places emphasize quiet cultivation, yet strangely, these past years Shan Chanyuan has been the most chaotic. The Four Great Chanyuans are locked in internal strife, their relations having deteriorated into fire and water over these years; this palace does not recommend you go there.”

It was common knowledge that the Four Great Chanyuans comprised Samsara Chanyuan, Six Paths Chanyuan, Silent Speech Chanyuan, and Joyous Union Chanyuan.

In Zhang Xian’s view: Samsara Chanyuan preached cultivating future lives and karma; Six Paths Chanyuan preached equality among all sentient beings; Silent Speech Chanyuan consisted of “mute gourds” who remained silent, preaching non-action; As for Joyous Union Chanyuan… they were simply evil monks practicing dual cultivation. He heard they even abducted female cultivators to use as cauldrons—seeming no different from demonic paths.

Except those female cultivators forced into being cauldrons… afterward would claim they were willing participants, refusing to return.

Matters between consenting adults left no handle for accusations, allowing Joyous Union Chanyuan to continue acting arrogantly.

In short, amongst the Six Great Powers, due to Joyous Union Chanyuan’s influence, Shan Chanyuan’s reputation was the worst.

“I also do not recommend you go to Treasure Azure Workshop. They have a similar background as our Cloud Raiment Pavilion—originating from merchant associations—wealthy but lacking deep foundations compared to other factions.”

“As for the Yunmiao Sect… their most renowned ‘Nine Turns Jade Condensation Sutra’ emphasizes nurturing jade with spirit, shaping the body with jade. Cultivated to great completion, the flesh body becomes like jade—impervious to all techniques. It is suitable for the little girl beside you.”

“Moreover, the Yunmiao Sect differs from other sects: multiple peaks stand like a forest, with a hundred flowers blooming. Dan Ding Peak excels in alchemy; Po Yun Peak masters Sword Dao; Xuan Ji Peak is proficient in formations… Each peak possesses its own legacy, yet they do not interfere with each other while complementing one another. I actually recommend going there.”

Zhang Xian’s eyebrow twitched imperceptibly. “Pavilion Master seems quite familiar with the Yunmiao Sect.”

“My late husband frequently interacted with the Yunmiao Sect, so I learned a bit.” Her tone paused slightly; a trace of recollection flickered in her eyes. “Yunmiao Sect Elder Nangong Yao shares some friendship with me; I can send a message to her requesting assistance in looking after Fellow Daoist, saving you much trouble.”

Nangong Yao!?

Dead memories reignited; Zhang Xian smiled.