From the fake emperor to the concubine

The main hall had an extremely complex structure, containing not only the trial area they had just been in, but also many other rooms and passageways. Each area emitted different fluctuations of spiritual energy, clearly serving a specific purpose.

"Master, look over there." Zhang Yunfan pointed to the deepest part of the main hall, "The spiritual energy fluctuations there are particularly strong."

Zheng Yi looked in that direction and indeed saw a pale golden light flickering in the depths. Although the light was not very obvious, the energy it contained made his heart tremble.

“It’s definitely not simple,” Zheng Yi nodded. “Let’s go take a look.”

The master and disciple cautiously made their way deeper into the main hall. The further they went, the denser the surrounding spiritual energy became, eventually reaching a point where it was almost liquefied.

"The concentration of spiritual energy here is terrifying!" Zhang Yunfan exclaimed. "If we could cultivate here, the effects would definitely be more than a hundred times stronger than outside."

"Only the legendary immortals could create such an environment," Zheng Yi exclaimed, marveling at the wonder of the immortals' abilities.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they finally arrived at the deepest part of the main hall.

This is a huge circular room. In the center of the room is a high platform, on which sits an ancient stone box. The stone box is pale gold in color and its surface is engraved with intricate runes, which is the source of the light seen earlier.

But what is most breathtaking is not the stone box itself, but the scene around it.

The entire platform was enveloped in a pale blue light curtain, within which countless tiny bolts of lightning danced. These were no ordinary lightning bolts, but the legendary "Heavenly Tribulation Lightning," containing terrifying power capable of destroying everything.

"Heavenly Tribulation Lightning?" Zheng Yi gasped. "An immortal actually uses Heavenly Tribulation Lightning to protect a treasure?"

The lightning of heavenly tribulation is a manifestation of the Heavenly Dao, possessing terrifying power. Even Nascent Soul stage experts must proceed with extreme caution when facing heavenly tribulation lightning. The sheer number of lightning bolts within this light barrier speaks volumes about their power.

"Master, what's in that stone box?" Zhang Yunfan asked curiously.

"This should be the most precious treasure in this secret realm," Zheng Yi said, carefully examining the stone box. "Something that could be protected by an immortal with heavenly tribulation lightning must be of immeasurable value."

Just then, a line of text suddenly appeared below the platform:
"Those who wish to obtain this treasure must pass the trial of lightning tribulation. The trial participant must alone pass through the lightning tribulation light barrier and touch the stone box. If they can endure for ten breaths, they will gain the treasure's approval."

"Failure to complete the trial will result in severe injury at best, and death at worst. Those who wish to participate should consider this carefully."

Upon seeing these words, both the master and apprentice fell silent.

They were all well aware of the power of the Heavenly Tribulation Lightning. Even a Golden Core cultivator would find it difficult to withstand such a dense lightning attack for more than ten breaths.

“Master, let me give it a try.” Zhang Yunfan volunteered.

"No!" Zheng Yi immediately refused. "You are currently severely injured, and the Immortal Sword Technique is sealed within your consciousness. You are simply not suited to undergo this trial."

“But Master, your cultivation is suppressed, which is also very dangerous,” Zhang Yunfan said worriedly.

"Only my cultivation level is suppressed; my physical strength and willpower remain unaffected," Zheng Yi reassured him. "Besides, this trial primarily tests willpower, and I'm more confident than you are."

"Master," Zhang Yunfan wanted to say something more.

“Listen to me,” Zheng Yi said gently but firmly. “If I obtain this treasure, I will ultimately pass it on to you. So no matter who comes to try it, the result will be the same.”

Zhang Yunfan knew his master's personality; once he made a decision, he wouldn't change it, so he could only nod in agreement.

"Then Master, you must be careful."

"Don't worry." Zheng Yi patted his disciple on the shoulder, then walked towards the high platform.

Standing before the lightning tribulation light barrier, Zheng Yi could clearly feel the terrifying power contained within it. Although those tiny bolts of lightning seemed insignificant, each one was enough to severely injure a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"The trials of immortals are indeed not easy to pass." Zheng Yi took a deep breath and adjusted his state.

Although his cultivation level was suppressed, his combat experience and willpower were genuine. Years of training and countless life-or-death trials had given him an unwavering will that was unimaginable to ordinary people.

"Protecting your body with pure Yang energy!"

Zheng Yi circulated his cultivation technique, and golden spiritual energy formed a protective shield around his body. Although this shield was very weak in the face of the heavenly tribulation lightning, it was better than nothing.

"Yunfan, I'm going in." Zheng Yi glanced back at his disciple, then resolutely stepped into the lightning tribulation light barrier.

"Sizzle!"

As soon as he entered the light curtain, countless bolts of lightning began to bombard Zheng Yi.

Each bolt of lightning was as powerful as a full-force strike from a Golden Core cultivator, and their sheer number left virtually no room to dodge.

"Ah!" Zheng Yi groaned as his protective spiritual energy was instantly torn apart, and lightning struck his body directly.

Intense pain spread throughout his body, as if countless knives were simultaneously cutting into his flesh.

But Zheng Yi gritted his teeth and walked step by step toward the stone box.

"Master!" Zhang Yunfan watched anxiously from outside, wishing he could rush in and help.

"One breath," Zheng Yi silently counted in his mind, "Two breaths... three breaths..."

Every breath was an immense ordeal; the lightning strikes not only damaged the body but also put the will to the test.

"Four breaths. Five breaths"

By the fifth breath, Zheng Yi's clothes had been torn to shreds by the lightning, and his body was covered in charred wounds. Blood continued to gush from his wounds, making him look extremely miserable.

"Master, let it go!" Zhang Yunfan cried out in distress, "Forget about the treasure, please come out!"

But Zheng Yi ignored him and continued walking forward with determination.

"Six breaths, seven breaths, eight breaths"

On the eighth breath, Zheng Yi finally touched the stone box.

A cool sensation came from his fingertips, but he knew it wasn't over yet and he needed to hold on for another two breaths.

"Nine breaths."

By the ninth breath, the lightning seemed to have become even more powerful, and the dense attacks made Zheng Yi almost lose his footing.

"Ten breaths!"

When the tenth breath ended, all the lightning suddenly stopped.

The lightning tribulation light curtain slowly dissipated, and Zheng Yi staggered and fell onto the high platform, covered in blood and looking extremely disheveled.

"Master!" Zhang Yunfan immediately rushed up the platform to check on his master's injuries.

"It's nothing, just a superficial injury," Zheng Yi said weakly. "Quickly, take a look at that stone box. What's inside?"

Zhang Yunfan quickly turned to the stone box and found that the runes on the lid were glowing, seemingly verifying the qualifications of the trial participants.

“Crack.”

After the rune verification was completed, the lid of the stone box opened automatically.

Inside the box was a bead the size of a fist, its entire surface a pale gold, radiating a soft glow. Countless tiny runes flowed across the bead's surface, giving it an extremely mysterious appearance.

“This is…” Zheng Yi struggled to sit up and carefully examined the bead.

"The Immortal Essence Pearl!" he suddenly exclaimed. "This is actually the legendary Immortal Essence Pearl!" "The Immortal Essence Pearl?" Zhang Yunfan asked疑惑地问道, "Master, what kind of treasure is this?"

"The Immortal Essence Pearl is the essence of immortal energy condensed by immortals during their cultivation," Zheng Yi explained excitedly. "The energy contained in a single Immortal Essence Pearl is enough to allow a Golden Core cultivator to directly break through to the Nascent Soul stage, or even higher!"

"That's amazing?" Zhang Yunfan was stunned.

"Not only that," Zheng Yi continued, "the Immortal Essence Pearl can also cleanse the marrow and refine the essence, improving a cultivator's physique and aptitude. It can even extend lifespan; it's truly a priceless treasure!"

Upon hearing these introductions, Zhang Yunfan's eyes gleamed with excitement.

With this Immortal Essence Pearl, Master's cultivation will be greatly enhanced, and the Zheng family's strength will also reach a new level.

"Master, please absorb it quickly!" Zhang Yunfan said excitedly.

“No,” Zheng Yi shook his head, “This Immortal Essence Pearl should be yours.”

"Give it to me?" Zhang Yunfan was stunned. "Master, how can you do this?"

"You are currently at a crucial stage of your cultivation, and this Immortal Essence Pearl will be of even greater help to you," Zheng Yi said earnestly. "Furthermore, the Immortal Sword Technique is sealed within your consciousness; absorbing it together with the Immortal Essence Pearl will yield even better results."

"But Master, this is a treasure you obtained at the risk of your life."

“There’s no need to be so clear about the distinction between master and disciple,” Zheng Yi said gently. “The greater your achievements, the happier I will be as your master.”

Looking into his master's sincere eyes, Zhang Yunfan felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

But just as he was about to take the Immortal Pearl, the pearl suddenly trembled.

"Hmm?" Both master and disciple were puzzled.

The beads trembled more and more violently, and the light they emitted became increasingly intense.

Suddenly, a consciousness emanated from the bead:
"You are not the master I am looking for."

This message was transmitted directly into Zhang Yunfan's mind, leaving him stunned on the spot.

"What do you mean?" Zhang Yunfan looked at his master in confusion.

Zheng Yi was also confused, but he soon understood.

"It seems this Immortal Essence Pearl possesses its own consciousness and can choose its master," Zheng Yi said thoughtfully. "It doesn't recognize you as its master."

As expected, the Immortal Essence Pearl continued to convey its message:

"I sensed a powerful will in another person. That indomitable will, undeterred by countless hardships, is exactly what I've been searching for."

As he spoke, the Immortal Essence Pearl slowly flew towards Zheng Yi and stopped in front of him.

"You are my true master."

Feeling the consciousness conveyed by the Immortal Essence Pearl, Zheng Yi was both surprised and helpless.

"Master, it seems this Immortal Essence Pearl has chosen you." Although somewhat disappointed, Zhang Yunfan was genuinely happy for his master. "This shows that your willpower has been recognized by this immortal treasure."

"But..." Zheng Yi still wanted to decline.

“Master, let’s follow the Immortal Essence Pearl’s choice,” Zhang Yunfan advised. “A magic weapon chooses its master; it’s the will of Heaven, and we can’t force it.”

"Furthermore," Zhang Yunfan continued, "this disciple already possesses the Immortal Sword Technique within his divine sense, a great gain indeed. Master, your acquisition of the Immortal Essence Pearl is also a good thing for the Zheng family."

Seeing his disciple's sincere expression, Zheng Yi felt both moved and proud.

This disciple was not only exceptionally talented, but also of impeccable character. Faced with such a precious treasure, he felt no jealousy or resentment whatsoever; instead, he was genuinely happy for his master.

“In that case, I won’t refuse.” Zheng Yi reached out and took the Immortal Essence Pearl. “Once I absorb the power of the Immortal Essence Pearl, I will definitely find a way to help you find other opportunities.”

“Master, there’s no need to say that,” Zhang Yunfan shook his head. “I’m already very content to have received the inheritance of the Immortal Sword Technique.”

Once the Immortal Essence Pearl was in Zheng Yi's hands, it immediately emitted an even stronger light.

A gentle energy emanated from the bead, enveloping Zheng Yi's body. Nourished by this energy, the injuries he sustained during the lightning tribulation trial began to heal rapidly.

"What amazing power!" Zheng Yi exclaimed. "This healing effect is better than any healing pill."

Moreover, he could also sense the immense energy contained within the Immortal Essence Pearl. This energy was incomparably pure, completely free of any impurities, precisely the cultivation resource that cultivators dreamed of.

"Master, shall we begin absorbing now?" Zhang Yunfan asked.

“No rush,” Zheng Yi shook his head. “The energy of the Immortal Essence Pearl is too immense; I need to find a safe place to absorb it slowly. Besides, my cultivation is currently suppressed, so it’s best to wait until we leave this place.”

"Shall we leave now?"

"Let's wait a little longer." Zheng Yi looked around. "Since this is the core of the Immortal Trial Hall, there might be other gains."

Sure enough, the entire room began to change after the Immortal Essence Pearl was taken away.

Countless light patterns appeared on the wall, and these patterns connected with each other to eventually form a huge array pattern.

"This is a teleportation array?" Zheng Yi recognized the nature of the array.

"Teleportation array? Where will it teleport you?" Zhang Yunfan asked curiously.

"It should be a way to teleport out of this secret realm," Zheng Yi analyzed. "Since the immortals set up the trials, they would naturally provide a way out for those who pass them."

Just then, a stone platform appeared in the center of the room, with a line of words carved on it:

"Congratulations to the trial participant for gaining the approval of the Immortal Essence Pearl. The teleportation array has been activated, and you can now leave the secret realm. Furthermore, as a reward for passing the trial, the trial participant can choose three treasures from the treasure vault."

"A treasure vault?" The master and apprentice's eyes lit up.

As these words appeared, one wall of the room suddenly opened, revealing a hidden passage.

“Let’s go take a look.” Zheng Yi led Zhang Yunfan toward the passage.

The passage wasn't long, and soon they arrived at a huge treasure trove.

This treasure trove was enormous, containing countless treasures. It contained magical artifacts, elixirs, cultivation manuals, and crafting materials—everything imaginable.

Each treasure emanated a strong spiritual energy fluctuation, clearly indicating that it was of a high grade.

"My God, there are so many treasures here!" Zhang Yunfan exclaimed.

"Truly worthy of being a collection of immortals." Zheng Yi was also stunned by the sight before him. "Any single piece would be priceless in the outside world."

"Master, can we choose three items?" Zhang Yunfan asked excitedly.

“Yes, but we must choose the most useful ones.” Zheng Yi began to carefully examine the items in the treasure vault. “This kind of opportunity is once in a lifetime; we must be cautious.”

The master and apprentice began selecting treasures from the vault. (End of Chapter)