Becoming a leader of the immortal path begins with sowing the seeds of inner demons.

late at night.

Laurel Hill.

It is said that the osmanthus seeds growing here are rare and precious varieties of celestial osmanthus that were casually scattered by ancient immortals when they walked among mortals. Those who are destined can inherit the legacy of the ancient immortals.

However, the Jade Flower Sect sent cultivators to investigate. They found that the osmanthus trees here, apart from being more fragrant and attracting moonlight at night, also followed the principle of the four seasons and had no other miraculous properties. Therefore, they abandoned their plan to establish a branch sect here, allowing True Person Yin Xuan to establish his sect here.

Inside the room, Feng Zai gently tucked his junior brother's blanket in, looking at his sleeping face with a rare expression of relaxation.

After settling his two junior brothers in, Feng Zai left the house and glanced at Zhou Qianqian's room. He saw that the lights were still on inside and that a figure was writing furiously in the window. Feng Zai nodded with satisfaction and did not disturb him. Instead, he went to the courtyard as usual and stared at the tall and lush osmanthus tree that had stood there since he first arrived.

Thinking about it carefully, he has only been in the Xuanmen sect for a little over thirty years.

However, these years, which were insignificant to cultivators, brought about earth-shattering changes to the Yu Hua Sect.

He still remembers the joy he felt after being adopted by his master; he remembers the praise in his master's eyes when he achieved Qi Refining in less than a hundred days; he remembers the grand celebration his sect held for him when he broke through to Foundation Establishment for the first time...

Now, my master is gone.

There is no one to guide us on the road ahead, and there is no turning back.

Thinking of this, Feng Zai let out a long sigh.

The rules of Chenzhou were set by the Qingxia Sect.

The place was also divided up by them.

To gain a foothold here, one must abide by their commandments.

Only those who have reached the Golden Core stage can establish a sect, and those small sects that have lost their Golden Core foundation are quickly submerged by time.

The reason is simple: every ten years, the Qingxia Sect sends its disciples to inspect a prefecture.

Besides annihilating those unruly sects, we also invite various sects to send people to the Qingxia Sect for "performance evaluation".

The results of the performance evaluation not only affect the survival of the sect, but also determine its ranking.

The Jade Flower Sect is a second-class major sect, which is why it can control a prefecture and also manage third-class sects like the Imperial Transformation Sect.

Yin Xuan Zhenren did not say exactly what he did, but his passing was inextricably linked to the matter of performance evaluation.

Feng Zai wanted to share his master's burdens, but Yin Xuan said that if he went to the Foundation Establishment stage, he would die without a chance of survival.

Initially, Feng Zai was also puzzled as to why his master did not find another free place to establish a sect in the vast land of China.

The Yin Xuan Zhenren, who was born in another state, shook his head with a wry smile, without saying anything explicitly, only saying that nothing in this world is perfect.

Feng Zai didn't understand then, and he still doesn't understand now.

No one could answer his questions anymore.

The moonlight is like water, and the osmanthus blossoms are like white jade.

The scene was breathtakingly beautiful, yet it brought tears to Feng Zai's eyes, and he sighed repeatedly.

After an unknown amount of time, Feng Zai composed himself, turned to look at Zhou Qianqian's room, and saw that the lights were off. Instead of continuing his ascetic practice as usual, he took to the air, flew to the left side of the green mountain, and landed halfway up the mountain between two young osmanthus trees growing intertwined.

He gently waved his sleeve, and the osmanthus tree silently parted, revealing the stone cave hidden behind it.

Feng Zaixian respectfully kowtowed three times and knelt nine times on the ground before entering the room.

The road wasn't long; it soon came to an end.

Looking at the skeleton sitting upright on the futon, Feng Zai bowed and knelt before the futon, saying softly, "I am reporting to my master that I have returned safely. Thank you for your protection."

Dear fellow disciples, I am unaware of your situation yet. Please forgive my lack of filial piety, as I was afraid of affecting their cultivation and was unable to inform them of the truth.

This disciple went down the mountain this time to take Junior Sister Qianqian on a training trip, and on the way we encountered...

In the cramped stone chamber, Feng Zai's calm voice echoed as he carefully recounted his observations and speculations along the way.

The skeleton remained unmoved. Feng Zai took a deep breath, silently recited the calming mantra, and once his mind was at peace, he began his cultivation.

As always, only here could he feel that his master was still by his side, and only then could the heaviness in his heart be slightly relieved.

But this time, when Feng Zaigang was immersed in his cultivation, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

The once clear and bright sea of ​​consciousness has turned into an endless barren hill.

He tried to pull away, but found that he couldn't control his consciousness; instead, his mind was completely manifested in this place.

He looked around in surprise, only to find the night sky as black as ink and the stars as numerous as the sea, as if he could reach out and touch them.

All around was white, with ravines crisscrossing the landscape, devoid of any life, like a dead land devoid of any spiritual energy!

Feng Zai realized something was wrong and silently tried to escape by circulating his internal energy. After several unsuccessful attempts, he remained calm and was thinking of a solution when he suddenly sensed something.

He subconsciously looked up, and the feeling grew stronger, as if something in the dark was calling to him.

After hesitating for a moment, he took off and flew forward.

Before long, a palace rose from the ground.

The magnificent palaces and pavilions were arranged in a harmonious and orderly manner, and the melodious music that filled the air was so pleasant that he couldn't help but take a second look.

Beside the palace stood a towering osmanthus tree, radiating a refined and elegant light.

Even from a distance, you can smell its refreshing fragrance.

Where...where is this?

Feng Zai had no recollection of this place at all, and as a cultivator, he instinctively wanted to stay away from such a strange place.

But just as the thought crossed his mind, the tightly closed palace gates suddenly opened, and an irresistible suction force emanated from the palace.

The next second, he was uncontrollably sucked into the palace.

The palace was not sparsely furnished. Under a soft light emanating from somewhere, the bricks were made of white jade and the pillars of blue jade. The pillars were engraved with exquisite patterns. Feng Zai glanced at them and found that they seemed to tell a story.

Before he could take a closer look, a lazy yet authoritative voice rang out in the hall.

What year is it tonight?

Feng Zai's mind sharpened, and he subconsciously tried to activate his magic to protect himself, but the magic did not respond at all.

Seeing that there was no other way, Feng Zai simply gave up and bowed, saying, "Junior Feng Zai has mistakenly entered this precious place and disturbed your cultivation, senior. I hope you will forgive me."

After a moment of silence, the voice asked, "Feng Zai?"

What about Yin Xuan?

Why didn't he come?

Feng Zai's mind went blank for a moment. He looked up in surprise, trying to find the source of the sound, but he saw nothing except the beams hidden in the shadows.

After a long while, he finally calmed himself down and said with a slight tremor, "Senior, my master has passed away. I hope you will forgive me."

The voice remained silent for a long time, until Feng Zai and the others were uneasy, before finally sighing, "It's the same again."

For thousands of years, it has been going on and on.

"Is supernatural power still no match for destiny?"

Feng Zai was shaken and didn't know how to answer, so he could only bow even deeper.

"Very well, since Yin Xuan has entrusted you with the token, it means he considers you his direct successor."

Go and take a branch from the osmanthus tree by the door.

A token?

Feng Zai suddenly remembered the crescent-shaped jade pendant he had encountered, and blinked in disbelief.

The next second, he suddenly knelt heavily on the ground and kowtowed forcefully: "Please, senior, save my master!"

He... he still has a sliver of true spirit!

This junior wants nothing but to ask that the senior display his supernatural powers.

I would give my life for yours, without any complaints!

Please, senior, have mercy!

"Alas, foolish child," the voice sighed. "Yin and Yang have their order; how can they be easily disrupted?"

Go rest, go rest.

"Senior, sir..." Feng Zai wanted to try again, but before he could finish speaking, he was pushed out of the palace.

He stood beside the osmanthus tree, stunned for a long time, before dejectedly picking down a small branch.

Almost at the same time, Feng Zai suddenly woke up.

The surroundings were still the same familiar scenery, but his hands were empty.

"A dream? Or an illusion?"

Feng Zai muttered to himself, looking expectantly at the skeleton, but after waiting for a long time, the skeleton remained just a skeleton.

He sighed sadly, feeling that today was not the time for cultivation. Just as he was about to kowtow to bid farewell to his master, four small characters suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[The Tree Left Behind in the Toad Palace]