The Hidden Inheritance of Yan Zhenqing

Zhang Xiaofan's mastery of formations had grown to an unparalleled level. His ability to manipulate energy, space, and even elements within his formations set him apart from ordinary cultivators. But what truly set him apart was his forbidden death spell—an arcane ability so rare and dangerous that even the most ancient sects dared not pursue its knowledge.

The spell allowed Xiaofan to destroy a person's consciousness in an instant, severing their soul from the cycle of reincarnation. It was a power not meant for the mortal realm, one that invited fear and envy. Xiaofan kept this ability hidden, using it only as a last resort. The spell was not without its cost; its use required tremendous spiritual energy and carried the risk of backlash if it failed. Still, it made him a formidable force.

One day, while escaping a relentless pursuer from a rival sect, Xiaofan found himself surrounded in a dense mountain forest. Just as he was preparing to summon his serpent to aid in his escape, an old man appeared, his presence like a sudden storm silencing the winds. The man was clothed in simple robes, but his aura was anything but simple—it was oppressive, as if the weight of the heavens bore down on Xiaofan.

The old man, known as Tianxu, was no ordinary cultivator. He was a hermit, a former grandmaster of the celestial arts, and one of the few who had lived for over a thousand years.

Xiaofan, sensing the immense power radiating from the man, instinctively tried to escape. He activated a formation that twisted space, hoping to slip away unnoticed. But the old man was faster. In a flash, he appeared before Xiaofan, effortlessly dismantling the formation with a wave of his hand.

"Calm yourself, young one," Tianxu said, his voice gentle but commanding. "I mean you no harm. But you… you carry something interesting. Something forbidden."

Xiaofan's heart raced. He knew Tianxu must have sensed the death spell's presence. But the old man's tone was not accusatory—it was curious. Still, Xiaofan remained wary. He had no intention of letting his guard down.

"Forgive me, senior," Xiaofan said, his voice steady despite the tension in his body. "I'm but a wandering cultivator. I have nothing of interest to offer you."

Tianxu chuckled, stroking his long beard. "Your caution is wise, but unnecessary. I've no interest in your life. In fact, I seek to guide you to something far greater than yourself."

Despite his suspicion, Xiaofan had little choice but to follow the old man. They traveled to an ancient formation deep within a hidden valley, its structure so intricate that even Xiaofan marveled at its complexity.

"This," Tianxu said, gesturing toward formation, "is the resting place of the God Tu Si's inheritance. I have been searching for this place for centuries, but I lack what is needed to claim it. You, however, may be different."

Xiaofan was immediately on guard. "Why would you bring me here, senior? Surely you could claim the inheritance yourself."

Tianxu smiled, his eyes gleaming with an emotion Xiaofan couldn't quite place. "The inheritance of Tu Si is not for the strong; it is for the one who can understand its essence. And from what I've seen, you possess the qualities needed to unlock its secrets. But you won't be alone."

As if on cue, four other figures emerged from the formation entrance. Each of them bore the distinctive aura of highly skilled cultivators, and their eyes immediately focused on Xiaofan. Tianxu gestured to them, introducing them as his disciples.

"This is Li Mo, Jian Fei, Yu Ran, and Zhou Qing," Tianxu said. "They are my disciples and have been training here for years, each hoping to inherit Tu Si's power. But there can only be one inheritor."

It didn't take long for Xiaofan to notice the underlying tension between the four disciples. Each had their own ambitions and secrets, and their competition for the inheritance had bred resentment. Li Mo, the eldest, was calm and calculating, always observing the others for weaknesses. Jian Fei was bold and impulsive, often resorting to force to prove his superiority. Yu Ran, the only woman among them, was enigmatic, her intentions veiled behind a cold demeanor. Zhou Qing, the youngest, was quiet but fiercely determined, his eyes filled with a hunger for power.

Xiaofan's arrival only heightened the tension. The disciples saw him as an outsider, a potential threat to their chances of claiming the inheritance.

"What makes you think he's worthy?" Jian Fei demanded, glaring at Tianxu. "He's just a stray. He hasn't earned his place here."

Tianxu raised a hand, silencing the protest. "You may think yourselves worthy, but the inheritance will decide. All five of you will face the trials, and only the one who understands Tu Si's essence will succeed."

The old man activated the formation, and a shimmering portal appeared, its surface rippling like water.

Before entering, the old man turned to Xiaofan. "This realm holds great treasures but even greater dangers. Others have been chosen to enter as well, but only one will emerge as the inheritor of Tu Si's power. Be wary, for greed and ambition will bring out the worst in your fellow travelers."

As Xiaofan stepped through the portal, he found himself in a vast and surreal landscape, a realm unlike anything he had ever seen. The sky was a swirling mix of gold and crimson, and the ground was dotted with ancient ruins, each radiating a powerful, otherworldly energy.

The group, led by Tianxu, continued deeper into the realm in search of the inheritance of Tu Si. The atmosphere grew heavy with anticipation, and the tension between the disciples of Tianxu was palpable. Xiaofan, ever observant, noticed the distrust among them. They were rivals in every sense of the word, each eager to claim the godly inheritance for themselves. However, he could also feel something darker in the air—a malicious intent that emanated from Tianxu himself.

As they approached the trial, a vast formation that led them to the next realm, Xiaofan's suspicions grew. While the disciples struggled to keep their emotions in check, Xiaofan noticed Tianxu's eyes gleaming with hidden desire. The old man's calm exterior was a mere facade masking his true ambition: he planned to claim the inheritance for himself, no matter the cost.

The formation activated, opening a pathway that led them into a foreign realm. The moment they arrived, the landscape shifted—vast, desolate plains stretched out before them, but the air was thick with danger. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and Xiaofan's senses immediately went on high alert.

From the darkness of the plains emerged a massive beast—its form enormous, its eyes gleaming with fury. Its body was a terrifying combination of sharp spines and scales, and its roar shook the earth itself. This was no ordinary creature; it was a primordial beast, an entity that even the strongest cultivators of the realm would struggle to defeat.

The disciples hesitated, knowing that facing such a beast directly would mean certain death. Xiaofan, still trying to maintain his composure, instinctively began formulating a plan. However, before he could act, Tianxu stepped forward, his expression full of malevolent satisfaction.

"We don't have time for hesitation," Tianxu declared coldly. "We need to move quickly if we're to claim the inheritance."

But Xiaofan's sharp instincts told him something was wrong. The old man's voice had a hidden edge, and the way he was positioning himself made it clear: he was planning something.

Before anyone could react, Tianxu's disciples scattered, each trying to find a way to escape the beast's rampage. Suddenly, in the chaos of the moment, Tianxu pushed Zhang Xiaofan toward the beast, using him as a decoy.

"Run!" Tianxu shouted as he threw Xiaofan forward.

The beast, enraged by the intrusion, lunged at the thrown cultivator. However, Xiaofan's quick reflexes and his ability to manipulate formations allowed him to avoid the beast's deadly jaws. He used his techniques to create a series of shadow illusions, momentarily confusing the beast and buying himself precious time.

Tianxu, now looking furious, tried to intervene, but it was too late. The beast was quicker than anticipated and, in an unexpected turn, it turned on Tianxu. With a ferocious strike, the beast swallowed Tianxu whole, disappearing into the depths of the realm with the old man's screams echoing in the distance.

The other disciples, seeing their master's demise, froze for a moment in disbelief. The beast had been far stronger than any of them anticipated. Tianxu had been a threat, but now he was gone, and with him, the hopes of the others to claim the inheritance through his guidance.