The stone gate finally opened completely, revealing a shimmering passage inside.

Everyone stared greedily at the jade token in Fang Hao’s hand, their gazes as if they wanted to devour him alive.

"Junior Brother Ning," Bao Zhijian squeezed out a fake smile, "Hand over the jade token, let everyone use it together."

Several lackeys on the side chimed in: "Exactly! Sharing happiness is better than enjoying it alone!"

"Those who see it have a share, Senior Brother Ning!"

Fang Hao sneered internally, but remained calm on the surface: "This jade token was obtained by me breaking the Formation, why should I hand it over?"

Bao Zhijian’s expression darkened: "What do you mean? Want to hog it all to yourself?"

Others also crowded around, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Liang Ling stepped forward and said coldly: "The rules of the Secret Realm are that everyone relies on their own Opportunity. The jade token was obtained by Junior Brother Ning, so it is naturally up to him to handle it."

Lin Wan also put her hands on her hips and said: "Exactly! Why weren’t you so proactive when breaking the Formation just now?"

Just as both sides were deadlocked, the Old Formation Master from the Tianji Pavilion mediated: "Everyone, let this old man say a word. Although this jade token was obtained by young friend Ning, the core of the Secret Realm concerns everyone’s Opportunity. How about this: young friend Ning uses the jade token to open the passage, and everyone enters in turn, how about that?"

Fang Hao pondered for a moment. He didn’t want to become the target of everyone, so he nodded: "That’s fine. But I have one condition—the Azure Cloud Sect goes in first."

Immediately someone objected: "On what grounds?"

Fang Hao said indifferently: "On the grounds that the jade token is in my hand. Or should no one enter at all?"

Everyone looked at each other and finally compromised. After all, no one wanted to return empty-handed.

Fang Hao held the jade token and was the first to step into the light gate.

Liang Ling, Lin Wan, and other Azure Cloud Sect Disciples followed closely behind.

The light gate flickered, and the world spun.

When they opened their eyes again, they were already in a magnificent palace.

The palace was resplendent with gold and jade, the dome hung high, and nine Dragon jade pillars stood all around, with the floor paved with shimmering glazed tiles.

Directly in front was a white jade platform, empty on top.

"Is this the core of the Secret Realm?" someone exclaimed.

"Such rich Spiritual Qi!"

"Hurry and find the treasure!"

Everyone scattered to search, only to find the palace empty, with nothing at all.

"What the hell? We went through so much trouble to get in, and this is it?" Bao Zhijian said with dissatisfaction.

Suddenly, light gathered on the white jade platform, gradually condensing into a phantom figure of an old man.

The old man had white hair and a beard, looked like an immortal, and smiled at everyone: "Welcome to the Nine-Layer Palace, I am the Palace Spirit."

Everyone was shocked and became vigilant.

The Palace Spirit continued: "This palace has nine layers of trials; those who pass can obtain the corresponding Opportunity. For every layer passed, the reward increases. Those who pass all nine layers can obtain the Palace Master’s Legacy!"

Everyone became excited: "The Palace Master’s Legacy!"

"It must be a great Opportunity!"

"Must pass it!"

The Palace Spirit laughed: "Now beginning the first trial—Questioning the Heart."

As soon as the words fell, the scene in the palace changed abruptly!

Everyone’s vision blurred, and they each fell into an illusion!

Fang Hao felt the world spin, and when he steadied himself, he found himself back in Nine Slopes Village.

"Haoer! Come back for dinner!" Mother was waving at the door.

Father was chopping wood in the courtyard, smiling at him: "What are you dazing off for, silly boy? Come and help!"

Fang Hao was stunned, then realized this was an illusion.

But everything was so real, even the smell of cooking smoke in the air was exactly the same.

"Haoer, what are you stunned for?" Mother walked over, touched his forehead, "Not running a fever, right?"

Father also put down the axe: "Are you tired? Take a rest."

Fang Hao’s heart trembled slightly.

This illusion was too real, even the wrinkles at the corners of his parents’ eyes were exactly the same.

"I..." He opened his mouth, almost sinking into it.

But he quickly became alert: "No! This is a trial!"

He activated his Clear Spring Spirit Eyes, the illusion fluctuated slightly but did not break.

Mother said worriedly: "Haoer, what’s wrong with you? Is cultivating immortality too bitter? Why not... stop cultivating, and come home?"

Father also sighed: "Yes, cultivating immortality is dangerous, and your mother and I only have you as a son..."

Fang Hao struggled in his heart.

His parents’ eyes were so genuine, making him almost want to give up on cultivation and stay home to fulfill his filial duties.

But the next moment, he firmed his resolve: "Father, Mother, your child has made up his mind. Although the path of cultivating immortality is dangerous, your child must continue!"

The illusion fluctuated, and his parents’ figures gradually blurred: "Haoer... take care..."

The scene changed, and Fang Hao arrived at the Outer Sect assessment site again.

"Wasted Spiritual Root! Menial Labor Department!" The Disciple in charge threw the menial labor uniform with disdain.

Surrounding Disciples laughed: "A Wasted Spiritual Root also wants to cultivate immortality? Hilarious!"

"Hurry up and get back to the mortal world!"

Fang Hao clenched his fists, feeling humiliated in his heart.

This scene was something he would never forget.

In the illusion, a voice tempted him: "Give up! You are not suitable for cultivating immortality! Go back to the mortal world and enjoy your life!"

Fang Hao gritted his teeth: "No! I will cultivate until I make something of myself!"

The scene changed again, this time it was Bao Zhijian bringing his lackeys to surround him.

"Trash! You are worthy of approaching Junior Sister Liang?" Bao Zhijian kicked him.

"Something from the Menial Labor Department, get lost!"

Excruciating pain came, incomparably real.

Fang Hao almost couldn’t help but fight back.

But he knew this was an illusion and suppressed his anger: "Today’s humiliation, I will definitely repay it another day!"

The illusion changed time and time again, drawing out all the Heart Demons on his path of cultivation: guilt towards his parents, inferiority about his Spiritual Root, resentment towards Bao Zhijian, and feelings for Liang Ling...

Each time it was extremely real, and each time it struck directly at his inner weaknesses!

Fang Hao kept his original intention and overcame them one by one.

The Heart-Questioning Mirror in his Sea of Consciousness glowed slightly, helping him maintain clarity.

After an unknown amount of time, the illusion finally dissipated.

Fang Hao returned to the palace and found that many people had passed the trial, but there were also several Disciples collapsed on the ground, looking dazed, obviously having failed.

Bao Zhijian also passed, but his face was pale, obviously having gone through a difficult time.

Liang Ling looked at Fang Hao with concern: "Are you okay?"

Fang Hao shook his head: "I’m fine."

The Palace Spirit appeared and said with a smile: "The first trial is over. For those who passed, a reward!"

A beam of light descended, covering the Disciples who passed the trial.

Fang Hao only felt a pure energy pouring into his body, and his cultivation level was faintly improving!

"This is... Spiritual Qi infusion!" someone said with pleasant surprise.

The beam of light lasted for a moment before disappearing.

Fang Hao felt his cultivation had improved quite a bit, closer to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage!

The Palace Spirit said again: "Those who failed, out!"

A light flashed on the failed Disciples, and they were teleported out of the palace.

Everyone’s heart tightened; this trial was indeed cruel!

"Rest for one incense stick of time, then start the second trial." After the Palace Spirit finished speaking, its figure dissipated.

Everyone began to adjust their breathing to recover.

Bao Zhijian glared coldly at Fang Hao, obviously having "met" him quite a few times in the illusion.

Lin Wan leaned over and asked in a low voice: "Junior Brother Ning, what did you see in the illusion?"

Fang Hao smiled bitterly: "All kinds of Heart Demons. How about you?"

Lin Wan stuck out her tongue: "I saw myself turn into an ugly monster, it scared me to death! Good thing it was fake!"

Liang Ling said softly: "The Questioning the Heart trial is the most dangerous, pointing straight to the heart. Everyone must be careful."

After one incense stick of time, the Palace Spirit reappeared: "The second trial—Body Refining!"

The scene of the palace changed again, turning into a sea of lava fire!

The heat wave hit their faces, almost roasting everyone!

"Persist for one incense stick of time, and you will pass!" After the Palace Spirit finished speaking, it disappeared.

"Damn! So hot!" someone screamed.

"Protective Spiritual Qi can’t hold out much longer!"

Fang Hao hurriedly activated the Five Elements Spirit Shield, the fire shield opened to resist the heat wave.

But the heat was pervasive, and he still felt burning pain all over his body.

Bao Zhijian sacrificed an ice-type Magic Treasure to barely resist.

Others showed their own Divine Abilities, struggling to support themselves.

As time passed, the heat wave became stronger and stronger!

Constantly, people couldn’t hold on and were teleported out.

Fang Hao gritted his teeth and persisted, the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Scripture running crazily, seven-element spiritual power rotating to resist.

At the last moment, the heat wave surged! Like a volcanic eruption!

"Hold on!" Fang Hao roared, bursting with full power!

The Five Elements Spirit Shield shone brightly!

Finally, the heat wave receded, and the trial ended!

Less than half passed, all of them in a sorry state, scorched black all over.

The Palace Spirit reappeared: "Those who passed, a reward!"

This time it was the light of Body Refining, Fang Hao only felt his Physical Body being strengthened, and his Meridians becoming tougher!

"Rest for one incense stick of time, the next trial—Comprehension Ability."

Everyone still had lingering fears.

These nine trials were harder one by one!

Fang Hao took a deep breath, but his eyes flashed with excitement.

The more difficult it was, the greater the Opportunity.