The time of one incense stick passed in the blink of an eye.

The Palace Spirit appeared again, and the scenery of the palace changed.

Everyone found themselves in a vast starry sky, with flowing galaxies beneath their feet and twinkling stars all around.

"The eighth trial—Dao Enlightenment."

The Palace Spirit’s voice was ethereal, "Comprehend the Dao of the stars’ movement; those who gain insight within one incense stick will pass."

As soon as the voice fell, the starry sky rotated, and the trajectory of the stars changed unpredictably.

Profound Dao rhymes permeated the space, shaking everyone’s minds.

The Old Formation Master was the first to sit cross-legged, forming hand seals to deduce: "The trajectory of the stars secretly aligns with the mysteries of Formations..."

Lin Wan frowned and pondered painfully: "How do I comprehend this? The stars are just spinning around..."

Bao Zhijian said proudly: "Mere star signs, watch me break them!"

Fang Hao calmed his heart and focused his spirit, activating his Clear Spring Spirit Eyes to carefully observe the movement of the stars.

He quietly activated his Ethereal Art to sense the changes in the space.

Liang Ling activated her Ice Heart Art, her mind becoming empty and clear, resonating with the stars.

Time passed second by second.

The Old Formation Master suddenly spat blood: "No! The changes of the stars are too profound; I cannot deduce them!"

With a flash of light, he was teleported out.

Lin Wan was so anxious she scratched her head: "It’s over, it’s over! I don’t understand it at all!"

Soon, she could no longer hold on and was regretfully eliminated.

Sweat appeared on Bao Zhijian’s forehead as he forced a deduction: "Break for me!"

But the changes of the stars became increasingly mysterious. The more anxious he became, the more chaotic his mind grew. Eventually, his mind was damaged, and he screamed as he was eliminated!

"No! Impossible!" Bao Zhijian roared in unwillingness and vanished.

Now, only Fang Hao and Liang Ling remained.

Fang Hao was immersed in his enlightenment. The movement of the stars secretly aligned with the Dao of Space.

His Ethereal Art resonated with the stars, and many of his confusions were suddenly cleared!

"So that’s how it is... Space is like the stars, moving in an orderly fashion..." Fang Hao seemed to have gained some insight.

Cold air flowed around Liang Ling, resonating with the chill of the stars: "The ultimate of ice is as silent as the starry sky..."

Both of them gained something, with Dao rhymes enveloping them.

The time of one incense stick arrived, and the Palace Spirit appeared: "Dao Enlightenment has ended. The ones who passed are Fang Hao and Liang Ling."

Two beams of starlight descended from the starry sky and merged into their bodies.

Fang Hao felt his comprehension of space greatly increase, and his Ethereal Art broke through to the third level!

Liang Ling’s Ice Heart Art also improved, and her cold aura became even stronger.

"Rest for one incense stick; the ninth trial—Unity!" said the Palace Spirit.

Fang Hao and Liang Ling looked at each other, both somewhat surprised. The final trial was actually for the two of them together?

After one incense stick, the scenery changed again. The two found themselves in an elegant courtyard with a small bridge, flowing water, and lush flowers and trees.

The Palace Spirit appeared: "The ninth trial requires a man and a woman to work together with one heart. Those who pass can obtain the Palace Master’s Legacy."

Fang Hao and Liang Ling were both a bit embarrassed, but quickly calmed down.

"The first stage, Questioning Affection." The Palace Spirit waved his hand, and the scene changed.

Fang Hao discovered that he and Liang Ling were wearing wedding robes, in the middle of a wedding ceremony! The guests were filling the seats, and the atmosphere was joyous.

"First kowtow to Heaven and Earth!"

Fang Hao’s mind shook as he looked at Liang Ling beside him, who was covered by a red bridal veil.

"An illusion!" He immediately became alert.

But the illusion was extremely realistic, and he could even feel the slight trembling of Liang Ling’s hand.

"Junior Brother Ning..." Liang Ling’s voice trembled slightly, "This is..."

Fang Hao steadied his mind: "Senior Sister, guard your Dao Heart!"

Both of them strictly guarded their Dao Hearts; the illusion fluctuated but did not shatter.

The scene changed again. The two were white-haired, surrounded by children and grandchildren, having lived a life of mutual support.

At the final moment of their lives, they sat holding hands and passed away together.

Fang Hao’s Dao Heart trembled slightly. A flicker of emotion also flashed in Liang Ling’s eyes.

But both quickly steadied themselves: "The Dao Heart shall not change; the Immortal path is paramount!"

The illusion shattered.

The Palace Spirit nodded: "The Affection stage is passed. The second stage, Questioning Desire."

The scene changed again. They found themselves in a treasury, filled with Spirit Treasures, Immortal Pills, and divine manuals.

"Ten-thousand-year Spirit Medicine! Immortal Artifacts! Heaven Rank Cultivation Techniques!" A voice of temptation sounded.

"Take them to achieve Immortal Ascension! Take them to become invincible!"

Fang Hao sneered: "How can the temptation of external objects move my Dao Heart!"

Liang Ling also said indifferently: "The Immortal path is cultivated by oneself; one should not seek from external sources."

The treasury disappeared.

The scene changed again. Their cultivation levels skyrocketed, breaking through Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Soul Transformation... finally achieving the Immortal status, looking down upon the universe!

"Immortal Ascension! Eternal life! Invincible!" The voice of temptation rose again.

Fang Hao laughed loudly: "False Realms, what is there to mention!"

Liang Ling also said: "One step at a time is the only way to become a True Immortal."

The illusion shattered again.

The Palace Spirit praised: "The Desire stage is passed. The third stage, Questioning the Heart."

The scene changed back to the courtyard, but two "Fang Haos" and two "Liang Lings" appeared!

"Fang Hao" said affectionately: "Senior Sister Liang, give up cultivation; stay with me for a lifetime!"

"Liang Ling" said softly: "Junior Brother Ning, the Immortal path is lonely; why not fly away together?"

The real Fang Hao and Liang Ling were shaken! These illusions pointed directly to the deepest part of their hearts!

Fang Hao looked at Liang Ling, and Liang Ling looked at him. There was a trace of complexity in both of their eyes.

"Senior Sister..." Fang Hao said softly.

Liang Ling nodded slightly: "Guard your Dao Heart."

Both of them attacked simultaneously, shattering the illusions!

But before the illusions shattered, "Fang Hao" suddenly said: "You are clearly moved! Why deceive yourself?"

"Liang Ling" also said: "Dao Companions cultivating together can also achieve Immortal Ascension!"

Fang Hao and Liang Ling’s Dao Hearts were slightly chaotic, but they quickly steadied themselves.

"The Immortal path is paramount!" The two said in unison.

The illusion completely shattered.

The Palace Spirit appeared and said with satisfaction: "The Unity trial is passed. Congratulations, you have obtained the Palace Master’s Legacy!"

The courtyard shone brightly, and a Legacy platform slowly rose. On the platform lay two Jade Slips and two Magic Treasures.

"These are the ’Ice Heart Ethereal Art’ and ’Myriad Phenomena Star Art’, along with the matching Magic Treasures, the ’Ice Soul Sword’ and the ’empty clarity mirror’." The Palace Spirit said, "The Palace Master and his wife relied on this Dual Cultivation Technique to ascend the Immortal path together."

Fang Hao and Liang Ling were both surprised and happy, yet somewhat embarrassed. A Dual Cultivation Technique?

The Palace Spirit laughed: "No need to be embarrassed. Dual Cultivation does not necessarily mean becoming Dao Companions; it can also mean complementary techniques and cultivating the same Dao together."

The two were relieved and respectfully accepted the Legacy.

As the Jade Slips were in their hands, information poured into their minds. The Ice Heart Ethereal Art was suitable for Liang Ling, and the Myriad Phenomena Star Art was suitable for Fang Hao. The two techniques were complementary and extremely profound.

The Magic Treasures were also top-grade; the Ice Soul Sword radiated a chilling aura, and the empty clarity mirror possessed profound spatial properties. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Thank you, Senior Palace Spirit!" The two bowed.

The Palace Spirit nodded: "The Legacy is finished; you should leave. Remember, the Immortal path is long, unity is not easy, take care of yourselves."

With a flash of light, the two were teleported out of the palace.

When they opened their eyes again, they were back in Fengming Valley. Other Disciples had already come out, all with significant gains, but none compared to the Palace Master’s Legacy.

Seeing them come out together, Bao Zhijian’s eyes spewed fire: "Fang Hao! Senior Sister Liang! You..."

Liang Ling said indifferently: "Is there something, Senior Brother Bao?"

Bao Zhijian gritted his teeth: "What Legacy did you obtain?"

Fang Hao smiled: "Just an Opportunity, not worth mentioning."

Lin Wan bounced over: "Senior Sister Liang! Senior Brother Ning! You finally came out! Did you get any good stuff?"

The two looked at each other and smiled, silent by tacit understanding.

The Nine-Fold Palace slowly dissipated, and the Secret Realm trip ended.

On the way back to the Sect, Fang Hao and Liang Ling walked side by side.

"Junior Brother Ning..." Liang Ling said softly, "The trials in the Secret Realm..."

Fang Hao nodded: "Rest assured, Senior Sister, I understand. The Immortal path is paramount."

Liang Ling smiled slightly: "Thank you."

Although they said so, there seemed to be some subtle changes between them.

Returning to the Sect, they handed in their gains, and everyone was happy. Fang Hao and Liang Ling concealed the Palace Master’s Legacy, mentioning only their other gains.

Fang Hao returned to his Immortal Cave, unable to wait to study the Myriad Phenomena Star Art. This technique was incredibly profound, fusing the Dao of the stars and the method of space, with infinite power!

The empty clarity mirror was an even greater treasure, capable of manipulating space, integrating offense and defense!

"This Secret Realm trip was a huge gain!" Fang Hao was overjoyed.

Over the next few days, Fang Hao went into seclusion to digest his gains. His Myriad Phenomena Star Art progressed rapidly, and he also initially refined the empty clarity mirror.

After coming out of seclusion, he felt his strength had greatly increased. Although he was still at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, his combat power was comparable to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.