On the path to immortality, I can see destiny.

Thinking back to when I fell down with that kid, it seemed that it was because of the tortoise shell on his chest that they were able to get into this place.

Thinking of this, he looked down at the tortoise shell on his chest and some thoughts began to form in his mind.

Could it be that this tortoise shell is the key to opening this cave?

So, does this mean that the senior in the cave is already dead?

Otherwise, how could the key to open the door have been lost outside?

Perhaps this is the cave dwelling of the Golden Core cultivator who self-destructed back then?

Zhang Tie thought about it more and more and felt it was possible. The spiritual spring in this cave was so vast that it was definitely not something a Foundation Establishment cultivator could possess.

Below this is the cave dwelling, and above it is a Core Formation cultivator who self-destructed. What a coincidence!

This also explains why the key to enter the cave was outside, or even in the hands of that Qi Refining Level 4 kid.

Thinking of this, Zhang Tie felt a surge of excitement. Since it was the cave of a Core Formation cultivator, there must be many treasures here. If he could even find some spiritual herbs and plants, he might be able to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, which would make all those years seem worthwhile.

He is now forty-six years old. In the lifespan of a Qi Refining cultivator of over a hundred years, his age is not considered old. However, if he wants to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, he probably has little hope left.

Because after a person reaches the age of sixty, their Qi and blood begin to gradually deplete, and the probability of establishing a foundation begins to decline.

Generally, after the age of eighty, there is no longer any possibility of establishing a foundation.

His spiritual root aptitude was very poor; he only had a useless spiritual root among the five elements. It was only by working with the cultivator surnamed Lu to do this robbery work that he barely managed to cultivate to the fifth level of Qi Refining.

Now, with such an incredible opportunity presented to Zhang Tie, how could he not be tempted?

"Brother Lu, once I obtain this treasure, you and I will surely be able to embark on the path to immortality!"

With that thought in mind, Zhang Tie stepped across the jade bridge and immediately saw the corpse lying next to the stone pavilion.

He was all too familiar with the clothes on the corpse.

He could hardly believe his eyes, and his feet paused involuntarily.

"Without the tortoise shell, how could that kid possibly be a match for Brother Lu!"

However, the facts are as they are. The fatal wound on his body was caused by the spear. The missing storage bag, the missing weapon, and the traces of the fight all prove that the murderer can only be another cultivator with weak strength.

Even if there were other cultivators here, they would certainly be of extraordinary cultivation, and there wouldn't be so many signs of fighting.

The only remaining possibility is that he died at Zhao Fan's hands.

Seeing his friend's body ravaged by demonic methods, Zhang Tie's eyes were bloodshot, filled with icy killing intent.

"You brat! Don't let me catch you! Otherwise, I'll skin you alive and tear you apart to avenge this!"

Stepping forward slowly, Zhang Tie took out a tinderbox and a bottle of red oil from his sleeve.

First, oil was poured onto the corpse, and then it was set on fire with a tinderbox.

This was a method they often used to kill and rob: burning the corpse with kerosene, which would turn it to ashes in no time. They never expected that this method would be used on their own people.

Flames shot into the sky, temporarily overshadowing the light of the luminous pearl. Zhang Tie stood in front of the fire and spoke softly.

"Brother Lu, today I will see you off. I hope that in your next life you will be exceptionally talented and reach the summit. I will avenge you."

As the fire gradually died down, Zhang Tie cut off a piece of his own clothing, packed the ashes into a bag, and hung it on his waist.

Continuing forward, Zhang Tie entered the building area and searched the surrounding rooms carefully, but found nothing. Finally, he naturally focused his attention on the strange groove on the door.

At this moment, the tortoise shell on its chest naturally fell off and flew into the groove.

This miraculous scene filled Zhang Tie with immense joy.

Therefore, this tortoise shell should be a pass token within the cave. Thus, carrying the tortoise shell should eliminate any concerns about the magic arrays and restrictions within the cave.

The tortoise shell fit into the stone door once more, and a rumbling sound rang out as the door opened.

Behind the door, the already deceased skeleton remained motionless, but in front of it, a new box had appeared.

Upon seeing the corpse and the box, Zhang Tie's eyes lit up, but then he frowned.

These remains seem to be the true owners of this place. If that's the case, then who was the Golden Core cultivator who supposedly self-destructed here, as rumored outside?

Thinking this, Zhang Tie became even more cautious and dared not enter the room for a moment.

"Why are you so afraid, young friend?"

A voice suddenly rang out, startling Zhang Tie. He immediately drew his sword, held it horizontally in front of him, looked around warily, and shouted.

"Who's playing tricks here?"

As the words fell, a phantom appeared in the room, floating out from the painting on the wall.

This was an old man who looked like a hermit. He looked up at Zhang Tie with a gentle smile.

"I'm sorry to have disturbed you, young friend."

Seeing that the phantom didn't seem to intend to make a move, Zhang Tie felt a little relieved, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and spoke respectfully.

"This junior did not mean to trespass into your cave, senior. I was only implicated by others. Please forgive me. If I have disturbed you here, I will leave immediately."

The old man waved his hand casually.

"It's alright. I have been dead for many years, and this cave has long been unclaimed. How can I disturb it?"

"Now, this wisp of remnant soul has finally found its destined one."

Zhang Tie understood the old man's meaning: this person with destiny must be the one who brought the tortoise shell here.

What a coincidence! I actually snatched that kid's opportunity!

However, Zhang Tie did not completely believe what the old man said.

"What do you mean by that, senior?"

The old man didn't rush to answer; he simply waved his hand gently, and the tortoise shell that was originally embedded in the stone gate flew out from above and landed in the old man's hand.

He looked at the tortoise shell, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

"To be able to see this Xuan Yi Armor here now is a wish fulfilled."

With a long sigh, the old man gently waved his hand, and the tortoise shell flew back into Zhang Tie's hand.

"Since this... belongs to the senior, I think it would be better to return it to its rightful owner?"

Zhang Tie hasn't figured out the situation yet and doesn't dare to accept the task without authorization.

Seeing Zhang Tie's cautious demeanor, the old man smiled and shook his head.

"I know what you're thinking. Now, I'm just a remnant soul, and I no longer have the ability to possess another body. Besides, even if I wanted to possess someone, wouldn't that young man be a better choice?"

These words awakened Zhang Tie. Although the old man clearly looked down on him, what he said seemed to be true. He was not young, and his talent was extremely poor. Possessing his body seemed to be of little use.

"Since you have come with this item, you are destined to receive it. The box contains the resources I have accumulated over a thousand years of cultivation. Since we are connected, I will give it to you..."

As the old man spoke, his figure slowly dissipated.

He watched his body gradually dissipate, smiled freely, and then vanished.