Noticing Zhou Che's expression seemed a bit unnatural, Xiao Ningyu could naturally guess the reason and immediately offered words of comfort.

"I know what's on your mind, but don't worry too much. Once desire spiritual power is born, it does indeed create a restrictive mark, suppressed by the Hehuan Sect Leader, but this is also an important means of consolidating the Sect Leader's position. Many other sects, including but not limited to demonic sects, have this kind of basic technique. After all, there's no free lunch in the world; you gain something, you lose something.

Compared to other sects, the Hehuan Sect is composed entirely of female cultivators, so their rights and interests are protected in many aspects. The Sect Leader is also not a bloodthirsty person, so even with a restrictive mark, it will not affect the disciples' future cultivation."

Facing Xiao Ningyu's reassurance, although Zhou Che appeared relaxed on the surface, inwardly she was extremely conflicted.

For a normal disciple, it indeed wouldn't be a problem, but she was different; she was an undercover agent sent by the Tiandao Sect.

The so-called Registration Plaque was fine; even if discovered, if she could flee back to the Tiandao Sect, she would naturally have the Sect Leader's protection.

But this restrictive mark was different. As long as this mark existed, no matter where she was, her life and death would likely be in the hands of the Hehuan Sect Leader.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. Hearing your words, my misgivings have been largely dispelled." Zhou Che replied with a smile.

"No matter. You overslept today, yet ended up interacting with me the most. Moreover, when I'm with you, I inexplicably feel a sense of ease and open-mindedness. I imagine this is fate between us. Would you be willing to befriend me?"

Xiao Ningyu waved her hand lightly, but then asked a question that put Zhou Che in a difficult position.

The other party was the Hehuan Sect's Eldest Senior Sister, her status and position evident. An ordinary person would naturally be willing.

But as an undercover agent with an unstable foundation, if she interacted too much with Xiao Ningyu, there was instead a greater risk of exposure.

After pondering in her heart and weighing the pros and cons, Zhou Che still agreed.

"Thanks to Senior Sister's kindness, having such an outstanding friend as the Eldest Senior Sister is truly Qingyue's good fortune!"

"It is also my, Xiao Ningyu's, good fortune that Junior Sister has agreed." As Xiao Ningyu spoke, she took out a jade pendant from her storage pouch and placed it into Zhou Che's hand.

"This is a Transmission Jade, usable anywhere within the Hehuan Sect. If you have any questions or difficulties, you can contact me through this jade."

Zhou Che saw this and put the jade pendant away, a look of flattered surprise appearing on her face.

"Thank..."

"No need to be so formal!" Just as Zhou Che was about to speak, a slender finger pressed against her lips.

"Junior Sister, though you have exceptional talent, you are inexperienced in the ways of the world. You must act cautiously in many matters. After all, the Hehuan Sect is a demonic sect, and there's no shortage of scheming and intrigue."

"I will reverently heed Senior Sister's teachings!" Zhou Che nodded.

"Mm. I still have matters to attend to and cannot stay long. If Junior Sister has any doubts, just contact me."

"Alright."

"The path of cultivation is tedious and bland. I hope Junior Sister will be diligent and hardworking, and achieve something in the future!"

Xiao Ningyu said this while her pair of eyes stared fixedly at Zhou Che, making her feel a bit uncomfortable.

Zhou Che's cheeks flushed red, her eyes darting away, and she replied somewhat shyly, "Qingyue will certainly strive to advance and will not fail Senior Sister's expectations."

Xiao Ningyu looked at Zhou Che's expression, smiled slightly, but said nothing more.

After finishing the registration matters, the two left the Registration Hall.

Once outside the hall, Xiao Ningyu exchanged a few more pleasantries with Zhou Che, then reluctantly bid farewell and headed toward the inner core region of the sect.

Watching her depart, a trace of worry involuntarily surfaced in Zhou Che's heart.

Although she wasn't deeply experienced in worldly affairs, for some reason, having been in the Hehuan Sect for less than a day, her mental acuity and caution had reached an unprecedented level.

Xiao Ningyu had been very gentle and sincere in her treatment of her, and in many respects, had been impeccable, but Zhou Che still spotted some clues.

And this clue lay in the gift of the jade pendant.

Everything seemed natural and traceable, as if the two of them truly got along so well, shared common topics, and could genuinely become good friends.

But suddenly giving a jade pendant seemed too abrupt.

After all, as the Hehuan Sect's Eldest Senior Sister, Xiao Ningyu had seen countless people and things, among which there were naturally many similar to Zhou Che.

Moreover, the two had known each other for barely the time of an incense stick, and yet the other had given her a voice-transmission artifact. If she did this every time, wouldn't the Eldest Senior Sister's behavior be a bit too casual?

Therefore, in Zhou Che's view, the other party's action was ostensibly to befriend her, but its true purpose was to better monitor her.

I'm afraid the earlier Soul Control had not completely dispelled the other's suspicions, and this Transmission Jade likely had more functions than just voice transmission.

In short, every word and action she took from now on would probably have to be extremely cautious.

Zhou Che glanced back at the Registration Hall behind her, then was about to turn and leave.

But just as she took a step, she heard the old woman at the door suddenly speak.

"Xiao Ningyu is the pride of the Hehuan Sect. To gain her recognition is a fortunate thing for you."

Hearing this, Zhou Che felt a bit bitter in her heart, but still forced a smile and replied, "Senior is absolutely right. This disciple will naturally not disappoint Senior Sister's expectations."

"Mm. Cultivate well. If you have any questions, you can also come here and ask me."

The old woman finished speaking and then stood up, heading inside the Registration Hall.

Zhou Che watched her retreating figure, somewhat surprised, but still cupped her fists and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your kind regard, Senior."

The old woman's pace was not fast, but by the time Zhou Che finished speaking, her figure had already vanished.

She didn't understand why the other was willing to help her. Probably because of Xiao Ningyu?

Shaking her head, Zhou Che didn't want to think any more about it. The mere few dozen minutes she had spent with Xiao Ningyu had already drained all her energy.

At this moment, she was truly exhausted both physically and mentally, and just wanted to find a place to lie down and relax properly.

Returning to her residence, it was already afternoon. Zhou Che entered the house, closed the doors and windows, and prepared to begin cultivating.

In this world, the cultivation system was actually very simple.

If a mortal wished to cultivate, they must draw qi into the body, shed the mortal shell, and transcend the world.

Once a person mastered the circulation of spiritual energy, they could use spiritual energy as sustenance and no longer needed to eat.

And the turbid qi and filth within their body would naturally be transformed by spiritual power and expelled through their pores. From then on, the essential human activities of eating, drinking, defecating, and sleeping would be completely removed from a cultivator's life.

Of course, if one was gluttonous, they could still indulge as they pleased. It was just that compared to mortals, a cultivator's life was much more free and unrestrained.

After shedding the mortal and practicing inedia (no eating or drinking), spiritual power would circulate through the body's acupoints, forming a celestial cycle. From then on, one could truly be said to have stepped onto the path of cultivation.

And at this point, there came the so-called division of realms.

At the beginning of cultivation, spiritual energy refines the body. The cultivator can freely allocate the spiritual power within, releasing powerful techniques. This is the Minor Attainment Realm.

Once the physical body completely sheds its mortal aura, one must comprehend the so-called Artistic Conception, achieving unity of spirit and form, capable of anything from soaring the skies to diving the seas. Then one reaches the Middle Attainment Realm.

And when the Artistic Conception continuously evolves and reaches perfection, one must then comprehend the Dao. If the Dao is attained, one steps into the Great Attainment Realm.

The Minor, Middle, and Great Attainment—these are the three major steps on the path of cultivating to immortality.

Among them, the Minor Attainment Realm is divided into nine stages, with nine refinements of the body and nine refinements of the spirit, after which one can fully shed mortality.

The Middle Attainment Realm has six tiers. Once the Artistic Conception reaches the sixth tier, it is perfected, and one's own Great Dao begins to manifest.

The Great Attainment Realm requires one to have comprehended the Great Dao in the Minor Attainment Realm before one can step into it.

It is divided into three stages: first is Dao Comprehension, comprehending one's own Great Dao; then Dao Entry, experiencing the root of the Dao; and finally Dao Fusion, uniting the body with the Dao, achieving feathered ascension and communing with heaven and earth.

One who achieves perfection in all three of the Minor, Middle, and Great Attainment Realms completely casts off the mortal world and ascends to the higher realm of heaven. This is what it means to be an immortal.