From the fake emperor to the concubine

"Please sit down." Sha Wuchen gestured for Zhang Yunfan to sit down, and then personally poured two cups of tea.

"This tea..." Zhang Yunfan took a sip, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes, "it actually contains a faint spiritual energy?"

“That’s right,” Sha Wuchen nodded. “This is made with the spiritual spring water from the center of the oasis. It is because of this spiritual spring that the oasis has been able to survive to this day.”

"Senior, could you tell me the origin of this oasis?" Zhang Yunfan asked curiously.

Sha Wuchen put down his teacup, a look of reminiscence in his eyes:
"Speaking of which, the history of this oasis can be traced back thousands of years. At that time, it was not a desert, but a fertile plain known as the 'Emerald Lake Plain.'"

“Emerald Lake Plain?” Zhang Yunfan repeated the name.

“That’s right. Back then, there was a huge lake here, its water crystal clear, surrounded by lush green grass. It was one of the most prosperous regions in the western part of the cultivation world.” Sha Wuchen’s voice was filled with longing. “It is said that several large sects established branches here back then.”

"What happened next?"

"Later," Sha Wuchen's expression turned solemn, "a world-shaking battle took place."

"A major war?"

"The specific details are difficult to verify now, given that thousands of years have passed," Sha Wuchen said slowly. "But according to some ancient records, two Nascent Soul stage experts engaged in a life-or-death duel on the Emerald Lake Plain."

Zhang Yunfan listened intently; this ancient legend was extremely appealing to him.

"The power of that battle was truly terrifying; it's said that even space itself was shattered," Sha Wuchen continued. "After the battle, the entire ley lines of the Emerald Lake Plain were destroyed, the lake dried up, and the vegetation withered."

"And then it became the desert it is today?"

“That’s right. But the changes happened gradually, taking hundreds of years for this place to become a complete desert.” Sha Wuchen sighed. “Most of the people who lived here back then migrated to other places.”

"How was this oasis preserved?" Zhang Yunfan asked the crucial question.

"This brings us to a remarkable predecessor," Sha Wuchen said, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "Legend has it that a powerful being known as the 'Oasis Immortal,' upon sensing that this place was about to turn into a desert, used all his cultivation to set up this protective array."

"The Oasis Hermit?"

"No one knows his real name, nor his exact cultivation level," Sha Wuchen shook his head. "All we know is that he disappeared after setting up the great formation. Some say he passed away peacefully, while others say he went somewhere else."

Zhang Yunfan carefully sensed the flow of spiritual energy around him and could indeed feel the extraordinary nature of this great formation.

"The fact that this formation can last for thousands of years suggests that the Oasis Immortal's cultivation level is at least at the late Nascent Soul stage, or even higher," Zhang Yunfan thought to himself.

"It is because of this great formation that some residents who did not relocate back then have been able to continue living here," Sha Wuchen said. "After thousands of years of reproduction, this town has been formed."

"When did you arrive here, senior?"

“Me?” Sha Wuchen smiled. “It’s all fate, really. Thirty years ago, I was severely injured while training in the desert and stumbled into this oasis by chance. The people in the town rescued me, so I stayed.”

"I see." Zhang Yunfan nodded. "So, all these years, the people in the town have been unable to leave?"

“It’s not entirely impossible to leave,” Sha Wuchen explained. “Occasionally, some cultivators will pass through and manage to take one or two people with them. But most of the time, the people in the town have no choice but to spend their entire lives in this small oasis.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yunfan felt a surge of sympathy.

Although these people live in a relatively safe environment, they are essentially trapped here. This is especially true for the young people, who yearn for the outside world but are unable to realize their dreams.

"Senior, isn't there any way to help more people leave this place?" Zhang Yunfan asked.

"There is a solution, but its implementation will be fraught with difficulties," Sha Wuchen said with a wry smile. "To ensure the safe crossing of a large number of ordinary people across the desert, we would need a team of at least a dozen cultivators, along with ample supplies."

“This is indeed not easy.” Zhang Yunfan wholeheartedly agreed.

He had personally experienced the dangers of the Western Desert. Even a cultivator like himself had to proceed with extreme caution when traversing it. Ordinary people would indeed require extensive protection to cross it.

"However," Sha Wuchen glanced at Zhang Yunfan, "you were able to get here alone, so your strength must be quite good. If you'd like..."

"Senior, do you want me to help take some people out?" Zhang Yunfan immediately understood what he meant.

“Exactly.” Sha Wuchen nodded. “Of course, I won’t let you help for nothing. Although the town doesn’t have many supplies, there are some valuable items that can be used as payment.”

Zhang Yunfan pondered for a moment.

He came to the Western Wilderness Desert for training, with the ultimate goal of reaching the Heart Refining Tower. Turning back now would indeed disrupt his training plans.

But seeing the longing look in Xiaoyue's eyes today, he felt a pang of reluctance.

"Senior, how many people in the town do you think want to leave?" Zhang Yunfan asked.

“Well…” Sha Wuchen hesitated for a moment, “Actually, most people are used to life here. Those who really want to leave are mainly young people. I estimate there are about twenty or thirty of them.”

"Twenty or thirty people," Zhang Yunfan calculated. "With my current strength, I can only protect five or six people safely across the desert at most."

"That's still amazing!" Sha Wuchen said excitedly. "If you're willing to make a few more trips, these young people will all have a chance to realize their dreams."

Zhang Yunfan weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

His master sent him to the Western Wilderness Desert for training, hoping he would grow through hardship. Helping these ordinary people cross the desert, though it would take some time, was also a unique form of training.

Moreover, doing good deeds and accumulating merit are virtues that cultivators should possess. If one ignores the suffering of others in an eagerness to pursue power, what is the point of such cultivation?

“Senior, I’m willing to help,” Zhang Yunfan finally decided, “but I have one condition.”

"What are the conditions?" Sha Wuchen asked eagerly.

"I need to complete my own training mission first, and then come back to help," Zhang Yunfan said. "My destination is the Heart Refining Tower deep in the Western Wilderness Desert; that's a trial my master arranged for me."

"The Heart Refining Tower?" A hint of surprise flashed in Sha Wuchen's eyes. "You're going there?"

"Senior knows about the Heart Refining Tower?" Zhang Yunfan was somewhat surprised.

"Of course I know," Sha Wuchen nodded. "That's one of the most mysterious places in the Western Wilderness Desert. It's said that powerful figures throughout history have left behind trials there, and those who pass the trials receive enormous benefits."

"Has the senior ever been there?"

"I've been there," Sha Wuchen said with a wry smile, "but I failed. The trials of the Heart Refining Tower test not only strength, but more importantly, one's character. I was too impatient back then and failed the trial."

"I see." Zhang Yunfan nodded. "Then, senior, do you think I have a chance of passing the trial with my current strength?"

Sha Wuchen carefully examined Zhang Yunfan for a moment, then said, "Judging from your cultivation level, you are currently in the early stage of Foundation Establishment. At this level, challenging the Heart Refining Tower is indeed somewhat difficult. However, I sense a special aura emanating from you, a quality only those cultivators who have truly experienced life-or-death trials possess."

"A special aura?"

“That’s right. Although the trials of the Heart Refining Tower are dangerous, they truly test not one’s cultivation level, but one’s Dao heart,” Sha Wuchen said earnestly. “If your Dao heart is firm enough, even if your cultivation level is lower, you may still pass.”

Hearing these words, Zhang Yunfan became even more determined to go to the Refining Heart Tower.

“Then let’s agree on this,” Zhang Yunfan said. “I’ll go to the Refining Heart Tower to complete my trial first, and then come back to help the people in the town.”

"Great!" Sha Wuchen excitedly grasped Zhang Yunfan's hand. "This is wonderful!"

“However, senior, I have an idea,” Zhang Yunfan continued. “With my own strength alone, I can only help a limited number of people. If we could contact more cultivators to help together, the effect would be much better.”

"More cultivators?" A glimmer of hope flashed in Sha Wuchen's eyes.

“Yes. I have some friends, all of whom are virtuous monks. If I explain the situation to them, I believe they will be willing to help,” Zhang Yunfan said. “Then we can organize a large-scale rescue operation to take everyone who wants to leave out.”

Sha Wuchen was so excited he could barely speak.

For decades, he had been troubled by the fact that the people of his town could not realize their dreams. Now, with a sudden glimmer of hope for a solution, how could he not be excited?
“Young Master Zhang, we in this town will forever remember your great kindness!” Sha Wuchen bowed solemnly to Zhang Yunfan.

"You flatter me, senior." Zhang Yunfan quickly helped him up. "It's my honor to be able to help everyone."

The two were discussing the specific plans when there was a sudden, urgent knocking on the door.

"Mayor! Mayor!" An anxious cry rang out from outside the door.

Sha Wuchen quickly got up and opened the door, only to see a middle-aged man standing outside, looking extremely nervous.

"Old Wang, what happened?" Sha Wuchen asked with concern.

"Mayor, something terrible has happened!" Old Wang said breathlessly, "Xiaoyue is missing!"

"What? Xiaoyue is missing?" Sha Wuchen exclaimed in shock. "When did she disappear?"

“Just now,” Old Wang said anxiously, “Her mother discovered that Xiaoyue wasn’t home and searched everywhere but couldn’t find her. Someone said they saw her heading towards the edge of the oasis.”

"To the edge of the oasis?" Sha Wuchen's face turned deathly pale. "Could it be that she intends to..."

"Senior, is that Xiaoyue the little girl who was talking to me just now?" Zhang Yunfan asked from the side.

“That’s right, it’s her,” Sha Wuchen said eagerly. “This child has always been very curious about the outside world. Could it be that after hearing your description, she wants to sneak out and take a look?”

Zhang Yunfan's heart sank.

If that's the case, then he bears responsibility. The consequences would be unimaginable if an ordinary little girl really went into the desert.

"Senior, let's go find her right away!" Zhang Yunfan said hurriedly.

"Yes, we must find her as soon as possible!" Sha Wuchen didn't bother with formalities. "Old Wang, go and inform the others to join the search. Young Master Zhang and I will go check the edge of the oasis first."

"Okay, Mayor!" Old Wang immediately turned and ran away.

Zhang Yunfan and Sha Wuchen quickly headed towards the edge of the oasis.

Along the way, they encountered many townspeople searching for Xiaoyue. Every face was etched with worry, a testament to Xiaoyue's importance to them.

“Xiaoyue has always been a smart and lively child, and everyone in town loves her,” Sha Wuchen said as he ran. “If anything were to happen to her, we would all feel guilty for the rest of our lives.”

Soon, the two reached the edge of the oasis.

Here, they found some clues.

There were children's footprints on the ground, stretching all the way to the edge of the protective array. And at the edge of the array, there was a small gap!

"How...how is this possible?" Sha Wuchen stared incredulously at the gap. "How could the protective array be damaged?"

Zhang Yunfan carefully examined the gap and found that the damage was very fresh, obviously it had only appeared recently.

"Senior, this great formation has been maintained for thousands of years. Is its energy about to run out?" Zhang Yunfan guessed.

“Very likely.” Sha Wuchen’s expression grew even more grim. “If the great formation truly begins to weaken, not only will Xiaoyue be in danger, but the entire oasis will be threatened.”

But now is not the time to think about those things; saving lives is the priority.

"Senior, Xiaoyue's footprints extend into the desert," Zhang Yunfan said, pointing to the tracks on the ground. "We must catch up immediately."

“But…” Sha Wuchen hesitated for a moment, “if we all leave the oasis, what if the great formation completely collapses?”

“Senior, you stay here to maintain the formation. I'll go after Xiaoyue,” Zhang Yunfan decided immediately. “At my speed, I should be able to find her quickly.”

"This..." Sha Wuchen wanted to say something more.

"There's no time to hesitate!" Zhang Yunfan interrupted him. "Every minute we waste increases the danger to Xiaoyue!"

After saying that, Zhang Yunfan flashed through the gap and entered the desert.

The desert is more dangerous at night than during the day.

Not only did the temperature plummet, sending chills down people's spines, but what was even more terrifying was that nighttime was the time when all sorts of nocturnal monsters were active.

Zhang Yunfan used his divine sense to carefully search for Xiaoyue's whereabouts.

Fortunately, his spiritual sense was quite strong, and he quickly found the little girl's footprints on the sand.

"Fortunately, the footprints are still clear, which means she hasn't gone far." Zhang Yunfan felt a little relieved.

He quickly followed the footprints, silently praying that Xiaoyue would not encounter any danger.

After chasing for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhang Yunfan suddenly heard crying coming from ahead.

"It's Xiaoyue!" He was overjoyed and immediately sped up.

After crossing a sand dune, Zhang Yunfan finally saw Xiaoyue's figure. (End of Chapter)