From the fake emperor to the concubine

The little girl was sitting on the sand crying, clearly lost. Even more frightening, several wolves had appeared on the surrounding dunes.

These night wolves were all Foundation Establishment stage demonic beasts, which posed no threat to Zhang Yunfan, but were absolutely deadly dangers to an ordinary little girl.

"Xiaoyue!" Zhang Yunfan shouted, and at the same time used his movement technique to rush towards her.

Hearing the familiar voice, Xiaoyue looked up in surprise:

"Uncle! What brings you here?"

"Don't be afraid, Uncle is here to save you!" Zhang Yunfan comforted him.

The night wolves had clearly spotted Zhang Yunfan, but instead of attacking immediately, they lingered around him, looking for an opportunity.

"Piercing Void Sword Technique - Sword Qi Like a Rainbow!"

Zhang Yunfan launched an attack without hesitation, and the dazzling sword light flashed in the night sky.

Before the night wolves could react, they were struck by the sword energy and fell into pools of blood.

After eliminating the threat, Zhang Yunfan rushed to Xiaoyue's side to check if she was injured.

"Xiaoyue, how are you? Are you hurt?" Zhang Yunfan asked with concern.

"I...I'm fine," Xiaoyue sobbed. "Uncle, did I do something wrong?"

"Why did you come all the way to the desert alone?" Zhang Yunfan asked gently.

"I...I want to see what the outside world is like," Xiaoyue said, her head bowed. "You've told me there are so many beautiful places out there, and I want to go see them."

Zhang Yunfan felt both heartache and helplessness.

The child's curiosity is completely understandable, but the method she chose was far too dangerous.

“Xiaoyue, the outside world is indeed beautiful, but it's also very dangerous,” Zhang Yunfan said patiently. “Someone like you running away alone is very likely to encounter danger.”

"I understand." Xiaoyue nodded. "Uncle, let's go back. I don't want Grandpa Mayor to worry."

"Okay, let's go back." Zhang Yunfan picked up Xiaoyue. "If you want to see the outside world, you'll have to wait until you're older."

"Uncle, are the things you said about helping us leave the oasis true?" Xiaoyue asked expectantly.

“Of course it’s true,” Zhang Yunfan said confidently. “Uncle always keeps his promises.”

"Great!" Xiaoyue clapped her hands excitedly. "Then I can see the real ocean and forest!"

Looking at the little girl's innocent smile, Zhang Yunfan's determination to help these people became even stronger.

Upon returning to the oasis, Sha Wuchen, who had been waiting at the edge of the gap, immediately came to greet him.

"Xiaoyue! We were so worried about you!" Sha Wuchen's eyes welled up with tears when he saw the little girl safe and sound.

"Grandpa Mayor, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have run off like that," Xiaoyue apologized obediently.

"It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright." Sha Wuchen nodded repeatedly, then said gratefully to Zhang Yunfan, "Young Master Zhang, we are truly grateful to you this time!"

"It's nothing," Zhang Yunfan said. "However, senior, this gap issue must be resolved as soon as possible."

“You’re right.” Sha Wuchen also realized the seriousness of the problem. “I must find a way to repair the great formation.”

“Can I help you?”

“Not for now. Let me try to find a temporary way to plug the gap,” Sha Wuchen said. “If that doesn’t work, then I’ll ask for your help.”

Zhang Yunfan nodded, then handed Xiaoyue over to the townspeople who had come looking for her.

Seeing Xiaoyue being held in her parents' arms, a heartwarming scene of family reunion, Zhang Yunfan felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

"Being able to help these kind people is indeed a meaningful thing," he thought to himself.

Over the next few days, Zhang Yunfan rested in the oasis while observing Sha Wuchen's process of repairing the great formation.

Through observation, he gained a deeper understanding of the formation. It turned out that this protective formation was a composite formation composed of multiple sub-formations. Even if individual parts were damaged, as long as they were repaired in time, the overall protective capability could still be maintained.

However, Zhang Yunfan also discovered that this grand formation had indeed been operating for far too long, and its overall energy was diminishing. At the current rate, it would completely fail within another one or two hundred years at most.

"It seems that helping the townspeople leave the oasis is not only to fulfill their wishes, but also for their safety," Zhang Yunfan thought to himself.

On the third day, Sha Wuchen successfully repaired the breach, and the oasis was restored to full protection.

"Young Master Zhang, the repairs are complete," Sha Wuchen said with satisfaction. "These repairs should last at least ten years."

"That's good." Zhang Yunfan nodded. "Senior, I plan to set off for the Refining Heart Tower tomorrow."

"So soon?" Sha Wuchen said with some reluctance. "Should we rest for a few more days?"

"No, I've already wasted enough time here," Zhang Yunfan said. "Besides, the sooner I finish the trial, the sooner I can come back to help everyone."

"Alright then." Sha Wuchen nodded. "I'll prepare some supplies you'll need in the desert."

"Thank you, senior."

That evening, the residents of the oasis held a farewell banquet for Zhang Yunfan.

Although they haven't known each other for long, Zhang Yunfan's kindness and courage have already earned him everyone's respect and affection.

Especially the young people, their eyes shone with hope. Zhang Yunfan's promise gave them hope of realizing their dreams.

"Uncle, please be careful!" Xiaoyue said reluctantly, tugging at Zhang Yunfan's clothes.

"Don't worry, Xiaoyue." Zhang Yunfan patted her head. "Uncle will come back safely, and then I can take you to see the outside world."

"Yes! I'll wait for you to come back!" Xiaoyue nodded vigorously.

The banquet lasted until late at night, with everyone seeing Zhang Yunfan off and looking forward to his return.

The next morning, Zhang Yunfan bid farewell to Sha Wuchen and the residents of the oasis, and continued his journey into the depths of the western desert.

Behind them, the people in the oasis waved goodbye, their faces filled with anticipation and blessings.

"Wait for me to come back!" Zhang Yunfan silently promised in his heart, then walked forward without looking back.

After leaving the oasis, Zhang Yunfan continued his journey towards the core area of ​​the Western Desert.

As they ventured deeper into the desert, the surrounding environment became increasingly harsh. The yellow sand here took on an eerie dark red hue, shimmering with an ominous light under the sunlight. An indescribable sense of oppression permeated the air, as if an invisible force was suppressing all life.

"Is this the core area of ​​the Western Desert?" Zhang Yunfan sensed the unusual aura around him and became secretly on guard.

According to the records in the Travels of the Western Wilderness, the core area is the most dangerous place in the entire desert. Not only are powerful demonic beasts lurking here, but there are also various ancient restrictions and traps. Even Golden Core cultivators must be extremely cautious here, as a moment's carelessness could cost them their lives. Zhang Yunfan slowed his pace, carefully observing the surrounding environment while remaining prepared to deal with any potential dangers.

After walking for about half a day, a strange scene appeared ahead.

Beneath the yellow sand, the remains of some massive stone pillars could be vaguely seen. Although most of these pillars had collapsed, the remaining parts still hinted at their former grandeur.

“This must be the legendary ‘Ruins of Tianzhu’,” Zhang Yunfan recognized the place based on the description in the travelogue.

The Tianzhu Ruins are said to be the site of a powerful sect from thousands of years ago. During the desertification of the time, this sect was not spared and was eventually swallowed by the sands. But legend has it that deep within the ruins lie treasures left behind by the sect.

However, Zhang Yunfan's current goal was the Refining Heart Tower, and he wasn't particularly interested in these treasures. He carefully bypassed the ruins and continued forward.

Just then, a strange roar suddenly came from deep within the ruins.

Immediately afterwards, a powerful demonic aura shot into the sky from the ruins, shaking the entire desert.

"Oh no!" Zhang Yunfan exclaimed in alarm. "There's such a powerful demonic beast here!"

Judging from the intensity of the demonic energy, this demonic beast is at least at the Golden Core stage, which is definitely beyond his current ability to deal with.

Zhang Yunfan dared not linger and immediately used his movement technique to leave the area of ​​the Tianzhu Ruins at full speed.

He only stopped to catch his breath after confirming that the demonic aura was not following him.

"It seems the core area is indeed fraught with danger." Zhang Yunfan wiped the sweat from his brow. "We must be even more careful."

During the rest of the journey, Zhang Yunfan encountered various dangers.

Sometimes it's a quicksand trap that appears suddenly, sometimes it's a giant sandworm that emerges from the ground, and sometimes it's a powerful flying monster that flies through the sky.

Every time Zhang Yunfan encountered danger, he had to rack his brains to turn the situation around. This high-intensity combat and evasion greatly enhanced his practical experience.

“Master is right, true growth can only be achieved on the brink of life and death,” Zhang Yunfan sighed.

After three days of arduous trekking, Zhang Yunfan finally saw a huge dark shadow appear on the distant horizon.

"Is that the Heart Refining Tower?" Zhang Yunfan was extremely excited.

As the distance decreased, the outline of the dark figure became clearer and clearer.

The Heart Refining Tower truly lived up to its name. It was a massive stone tower, thousands of feet tall, entirely dark black. Under the blazing sun, it not only failed to reflect light but instead exuded a sinister aura.

The tower's design is extremely simple and unadorned, constructed entirely from massive black stones. Its surface is densely covered with various ancient runes; although their meaning is incomprehensible, one can sense the powerful energy contained within them.

What was most shocking was that the entire Heart Refining Tower was surrounded by a layer of pale golden light. This light layer looked as thin as a cicada's wing, but the energy contained within it made Zhang Yunfan feel a chill in his heart.

"This is the trial ground left behind by powerful figures throughout history." Zhang Yunfan looked up at the giant tower in front of him, feeling both excited and nervous.

He could sense that the Refining Heart Tower contained the will and power of countless powerful beings. Every stone and every rune recorded the stories of the cultivators who had challenged this place.

There is the glory of the successful, and the regret of the unsuccessful.

"Now that we're here, there's no reason to back down." Zhang Yunfan took a deep breath and resolutely walked towards the Refining Heart Tower.

As he approached the tower, the pale golden light suddenly changed.

An ancient line of text appeared on the light shield:

"A heart as firm as stone can soar to the heavens. A heart as fragile as duckweed will surely fall into the abyss. Those who wish to enter the Tower of Refining the Heart must first understand their own hearts."

Upon seeing this line of text, Zhang Yunfan couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Understanding one's own heart is simple to say, but extremely difficult to do. The human heart is the most complex place, filled with all kinds of desires, fears, hopes, and despair. To truly understand one's own heart requires immense courage and wisdom.

"What is my heart?" Zhang Yunfan asked himself.

Is it a thirst for power? Respect for one's master? Responsibility to one's family? Or a promise to the inhabitants of the oasis?

It seems to be all of them, yet it also seems to be neither entirely of them.

Just as Zhang Yunfan was lost in confusion, the communication jade pendant in his arms suddenly emitted a faint light.

"Master?" Zhang Yunfan hurriedly communicated with the jade pendant using his divine sense.

"Yunfan, you've arrived at the Refining Heart Tower, haven't you?" Zheng Yi's voice came from the jade pendant.

“Yes, Master. I am standing in front of the tower, but I am somewhat confused,” Zhang Yunfan replied truthfully.

"What's puzzling you?"

"The inscription in front of the tower says that one must understand one's own heart to enter, but I don't know what my heart truly is," Zhang Yunfan said honestly.

Zheng Yi was silent for a moment, then said:

"Yunfan, your master has a question for you. If you had to choose between immense power and protecting others, what would you choose?"

“To protect others.” Zhang Yunfan answered almost without hesitation.

"Why?"

“Because…” Zhang Yunfan thought for a moment, “because if power can’t be used to protect those who are important to you, then it’s meaningless.”

"Very good." Zheng Yi's voice was filled with satisfaction. "Now, let me ask you, if you had to choose between personal achievement and the happiness of others, what would you choose?"

"The happiness of others." Zhang Yunfan remained unwavering.

"Why?"

"Seeing others happy because of my help brings me more joy than any personal achievement," Zhang Yunfan said.

“One last question,” Zheng Yi’s voice turned serious, “What would you do if your master did something wrong one day?”

This question stunned Zhang Yunfan. His master had always been a perfect figure in his heart, and he had never considered the possibility that his master might make a mistake.

But after careful consideration, Zhang Yunfan still gave his answer:
"This disciple will argue with reason and persuade Master to correct his mistakes. If Master insists on not changing, this disciple will not blindly follow."

"Very good," Zheng Yi said with satisfaction. "Yunfan, you've found your heart."

"Master, I still don't quite understand."

“Your heart is inherently kind,” Zheng Yi explained. “No matter the situation, you always choose kindness. This is your moral compass, and your most precious quality.”

Hearing his master's words, Zhang Yunfan felt enlightened.

Yes, he will always choose kindness. This isn't because others demand it of him, but because it's simply his nature. (End of Chapter)