Struggles in the world are inevitable. Even though Meng Yan possesses extraordinary talent and has a Golden Core Master as his backing, he cannot guarantee his survival in this complex dispute.

Let alone him, can his Golden Core Master, or even the Nascent Soul ancestor within the Cyan Origin Sect, truly rest easy?

The higher one stands, the more they are at the center of resource allocation, and the more attention they attract.

He came to Qingshi County to avoid the most intense whirlpool of disputes and to peacefully attain enlightenment for a breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment.

He owes much to having a Golden Core Master, otherwise, he would be unable to control many aspects of his life.

Yet even so, he feels as though he is always being calculated and watched.

The appearance of Qi Ping sparked a thought in his heart—finding an unexpectedly powerful ally.

The decision to choose Qi Ping was made after careful consideration.

The first time he saw Qi Ping, Qi Ping was wrapped in a black robe, revealing nothing, and he did not pay much heed.

However, when the Li Fire Crow decisively chose Qi Ping, he realized Qi Ping's extraordinary nature.

Out of concern for the Li Fire Crow and curiosity about Qi Ping, he specifically inquired about Qi Ping's information from Boss Gao.

Through various means of speculation, he realized Qi Ping might be hiding significant strength, and he also learned about some of Qi Ping's past actions and personality from Boss Gao.

Thus, he instructed Boss Gao to keep Qi Ping's information confidential.

But even so, having Qi Ping as an ally was far from enough.

Until today, he discovered that Qi Ping was faintly about to condense a Mental Realm!

It meant Qi Ping was nearing the first stage of Dao Heart practice—condensing the Mental Realm!

This was incredibly remarkable for a Loose Cultivator like Qi Ping!

Moreover, Qi Ping just said he had not heard of the Dao Heart condensing before the Mental Realm arises, meaning Qi Ping reached this step independently!

Whereas he only gradually reached this step under the guidance of a Golden Core Master!

This indicated that Qi Ping's talent might surpass his own.

With Qi Ping having reached this step, condensing the Mental Realm and comprehending the True Meaning of the Rules should not be far off. With the resources and cultivation techniques he provides, it's uncertain who between him and Qi Ping will first breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm!

Moreover, the recognition of Qi Ping by the Li Fire Crow and the admiration by Boss Gao made him resolute in this decision.

Boss Gao has assessed countless people and rarely misjudged, coupled with the presence of the Li Fire Crow, confirming that Qi Ping is a worthy ally.

With emotions as a bond and mutual benefits, such cooperation should be stable enough.

As a Loose Cultivator, Qi Ping's needs are evident, as proven by his recent purchases.

As for the opportunities and secrets Qi Ping possesses, he is not overly interested. It's normal for every cultivator to have their own resources.

As a disciple of a Golden Core Stage cultivator, with extraordinary talent, he has already comprehended the True Meaning of the Law.

Once he condenses his Dao Heart and generates a Mental Realm, it will be time for him to merge the Power of the Law and breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment!

Then he can proceed smoothly, making strides directly to the Golden Core!

What benefit does an ephemeral opportunity have for him?

He aims to tread the Path of Immortality and become the supreme powerhouse, rather than become a slave to mana, unaware of being one!

...

However, upon hearing Meng Yan's words, Qi Ping's heart surged like a stormy sea.

The impact of these words on him was immense!

He realized that cultivating the mind for enlightenment is far more important than ordinary cultivators think.

Without deeply understanding the Dao Heart, one remains but a slave to the Law and Spiritual Qi!

The Power of the Law in this world is so vast, how could it be easily controlled by the mediocre?

No wonder Qi Ping, since undergoing epiphanies twice, has continually clarified his true intentions, enhancing his control over Spiritual Power!

So that's how it is!

Thinking of this, Qi Ping immediately stood up and solemnly bowed to Meng Yan.

"Thank you, Brother Meng, for dispelling my doubts!"

The kindness of imparting understanding and resolving doubts is indeed worth Qi Ping's gratitude, especially since Meng Yan spoke from the insights of the Golden Core Stage.

As for Meng Yan guessing Qi Ping's hidden strength, it was only natural. If Boss Gao could see Qi Ping's extraordinariness, how could Meng Yan not?

The only surprising thing for Qi Ping was the mention of the Dao Heart, which not only revealed his easily detectable Heart Realm but also decoded the essential nature of his cultivation path, giving Qi Ping newfound clarity on his future!

Those who have not reached this stage may find it hard to grasp the true meaning of Meng Yan's words, but for those truly puzzled by it, the effect is nothing short of enlightening.

Furthermore, Meng Yan's invitation also surprised him.

He had no reason to doubt the authenticity of these words.

Because there was a natural perception reaction just now, but it wasn't a warning; rather, it was a blessing feeling of the heart.

As such, this did not bring disaster to him; on the contrary, it could be quite beneficial.

Qi Ping did not expect that the situation of the Cyan Origin Sect had reached such a point, with internal and external troubles causing even Meng Yan, a disciple of a Golden Core Elder, to start preparing some contingencies.

This complex dispute had reached a point where even someone of Meng Yan's status couldn't avoid being involved.

As for the alliance proposed by Meng Yan, he was naturally very willing.

As an ally, it would be much more convenient for him to ask Meng Yan for help in obtaining enough resources.

As long as he earned enough Spirit Stones, with Meng Yan as a channel, acquiring many precious cultivation techniques and resources would be much easier, and Qi Ping would naturally ensure Meng Yan wouldn't suffer a loss.

So Qi Ping continued seriously:

"Being able to become an ally of Brother Meng is my fortune. If there is a need, I will definitely do my utmost to assist!"

"Great! Great! Being able to ally with Brother Qi is also my good fortune. Let me finish this bowl of wine first!"

Meng Yan laughed loudly and then drained that large bowl of wine in one go!

Qi Ping was not to be outdone and also lifted his bowl, drinking it all in one go.

The fiery sensation of the Fire Crow Wine instantly penetrated Qi Ping's whole body, and the rich spiritual Qi immediately filled him; this spiritual Qi was much denser than that of the Fire Ginseng Honey.

After spending a little time refining the spiritual Qi within his body, Qi Ping felt a burning, refreshing sensation throughout.

Indeed, it was a rare good wine!

Then Meng Yan proactively spoke again.

"Brother Qi, when we talked about realizing the Dao Heart just now, how about we each share the process of realizing the Dao Heart? Realizing the Dao Heart is difficult; if we can confirm it with each other, it would be beneficial for both of us..."

"Nothing could be better!"

"Then let me start!"

"Please, Brother Meng!"

"I was born into a family of blacksmiths and learned the art of artifact refining from a young age... later, I was valued by my master and brought into the Cyan Origin Sect..."

Then Meng Yan spoke of his many experiences and the insights he gained from them, explaining how they tempered his Dao Heart.

Each experience and insight that Meng Yan recounted deeply moved Qi Ping.

Especially the parts where he talked about his understanding of cultivation philosophies, which filled many gaps in Qi Ping's cultivation knowledge.

After Meng Yan finished speaking, Qi Ping also began to recount his own process of enlightenment...

The two talked on, and before they knew it, more than two hours had passed!

During this exchange of enlightenment, Qi Ping and Meng Yan gradually came to know each other.

Meng Yan found enlightenment through artifact refining and tempered his cultivation and Dao Heart through the art of artifact refining; for him, refining artifacts was the best way to reach enlightenment.

But Qi Ping's way was more complicated, involving farming, beast taming, and entering the world...

These two different ways of enlightenment gave them both great inspiration, even prompting a renewed contemplation during the process, and making their Dao Heart Realms even denser.

Their control over Spiritual Power and the True Meaning of the Law also ascended to a new level.

...

After the exchange of enlightenment ended, the two of them exchanged smiles. This discussion was a surprising delight for the both of them, with great gains!

This also made them feel a mutual understanding and admiration between each other.

Meeting a fellow cultivator with whom one can genuinely exchange enlightenment is not easy for either of them.

If before the exchange, their relationship was primarily based on cooperation out of mutual interest,

after the discussion, they began to genuinely acknowledge each other.

For a person's words and experiences can be feigned, but one cannot fake enlightenment, especially with a unique Dao Heart Realm as testament, it most accurately reflects the state of a cultivator.

For example, a cultivator on the path of emotionlessness can never feign deep emotions, because once bound by feelings, their Dao Heart would collapse and give rise to a Heart Demon, half-ruining their cultivation!

Therefore, after the exchange, the two gradually became more familiar, and the initial sense of unfamiliarity diminished.

After the discussion, Meng Yan brought up the matter of the Li Fire Crow again.

He was still concerned about the Li Fire Crow's condition, after all, the Li Fire Crow had indirectly aided him, and he had saved the Li Fire Crow's life.

"By the way Brother Qi, how has the Li Fire Crow that you bought from me last time recovered?"

Qi Ping smiled and replied:

"Brother Meng, take a look, and you'll see..."

Then Qi Ping released Yaya, and when Meng Yan saw Yaya's appearance, he immediately widened his eyes!

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