Cultivation of immortality begins with an eighty-year-old eunuch.

After adding the last spoonful of bean paste, Xiaodengzi patted the grass clippings off his hands, turned around, and shook his head: "No."

His expression was calm, even somewhat wooden.

"When my godfather left, he said that what he was going to do was difficult and far-reaching. He told us to stay here, cultivate diligently, and feed the horses properly." Little Stool paused, then added, "He said that if he ever came back, he hoped this place would still be the same as before."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jianwen felt a mix of emotions.

He knew that Xiaodengzi's feelings for his master were both those of a servant and a son, and were far purer than those of the other disciples.

For the past fifteen years, besides cultivating his skills, Xiao Dengzi has spent his time guarding the Imperial Stables, feeding the horses, sweeping the floor, and repairing the roof tiles.

Day after day, it seemed that as long as they kept watch like this, the departed old man would one day push open that mottled wooden door and call out with a smile:

"Small stool".

"I need to visit the Yin Corpse Sect and then the Qingyun Sect," Emperor Jianwen said. "Are you aware of the loss of spiritual energy?"

Xiao Dengzi nodded: "I felt it when I was meditating a few days ago. I think it might be related to that old monster from the Soul Refining Sect."

"Hmm." Emperor Jianwen said no more and turned to leave.

As he walked out of the Imperial Stables, he looked back once more.

Xiao Dengzi had already picked up a broom and started sweeping the fallen leaves in the yard. His back was hunched and he was focused, seemingly no different from fifteen years ago.

Leaving the imperial city, Emperor Jianwen transformed into a streak of light and headed straight for the gate of the Yin Corpse Sect.

The Yin Corpse Sect's mountain gate is no longer the simple horse farm next to the Great Abyss Imperial City it once was.

Under the management of Ren Dahai and others, their sect was located in a place where yin veins converged, three thousand miles southeast of the original Qingyun Sect. It covered a vast area, with continuous halls and palaces, and although it was filled with yin energy, it was also orderly.

The sect's perimeter was shrouded by a large spirit-gathering array and a protective array, creating a solemn atmosphere.

As soon as Emperor Jianwen arrived at the mountain gate, a patrolling disciple spotted him and immediately reported it.

Before long, several streaks of light flew in from the depths of the sect, led by Ren Dahai, Lao Huang, Ling Huanzi, Zhou Xin, Song Jingang and other old acquaintances.

Everyone's cultivation had improved, and upon seeing Emperor Jianwen's arrival, they quickly bowed in respect.

"Welcome, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Jianwen waved his hand, indicating that formalities were unnecessary, and went straight to the point: "I have come to ask if you have any news of your master?"

The group exchanged bewildered glances. Finally, Ren Dahai sighed and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, no. After our master left, there has been no further news. We have also tried to inquire about Tiannanxing through the channels of Baicaotang, but to no avail..."

The last glimmer of hope in Emperor Jianwen's heart was extinguished.

Even those members of the Yin Corpse Sect who were usually away from home and had relatively good connections had no news of their master.

It seems that Master is indeed too busy to attend to anything else.

He shared his speculation that the loss of spiritual energy might be related to the patriarch of the Soul Refining Sect with everyone, and Ren Dahai and the others' expressions changed drastically upon hearing this.

"If it really is that old demon at work..." Ren Dahai's voice was hoarse, "All of us combined wouldn't even be enough to fill his teeth. It was already a stroke of luck that Master was able to reseal him back then, and now..."

He didn't say what he was going to say next, but everyone understood what he meant.

With Chen Fan absent, no one in the sealed land can subdue that old demon.

"I intend to personally visit the former site of the Qingyun Sect to investigate," Emperor Jianwen said. "You all guard the sect well, restrain the disciples, minimize going out in the near future, and stockpile spirit stones and cultivation resources in preparation for any eventuality."

"We will obey Your Majesty's decree!" the crowd responded in unison, their faces clouded with gloom.

Leaving the Yin Corpse Sect, Emperor Jianwen did not linger any longer. He activated his escape light at full speed and sped towards the former site of the Qingyun Sect in the northwest.

In less than half an hour, the once majestic mountain gate of the Qingyun Sect came into view.

But now, this place is no longer what it used to be.

Although the protective array still existed, it appeared dim and lifeless. Many of the sect's halls and pavilions were damaged and left unrepaired, giving the area a rather desolate appearance.

The disciples patrolling the mountain were few in number, and their cultivation levels were generally not high, mostly at the Foundation Establishment or Core Formation stages, with not a single one showing any Nascent Soul aura.

Since Chen Fan used the power of the Golden Bowl to seal off the Qingyun Sect, the sect's high-ranking members have either died or been demoted, and most of the remaining disciples have also dispersed.

The one currently in charge of this place is Qing Yizi, the former sect leader of Qingyun Sect who surrendered years ago. After Chen Fan placed a restriction on him, he was ordered to guard the mountain gate here and also monitor the entrance to the Soul Refining Sect's seal.

As soon as Emperor Jianwen landed on the former main peak square, a streak of azure light flew from the distant palace and landed, transforming into the figure of a man in azure robes.

Fifteen years have passed, and Qingyizi's cultivation has remained at the late Nascent Soul stage, with a weak and unstable aura. Clearly, he has not made any progress in these years, but has instead regressed due to the pain of his inner turmoil and the restrictions imposed upon him.

Upon seeing Emperor Jianwen, he immediately bowed and greeted him with a respectful yet fearful attitude: "I was unaware of Your Majesty's presence and have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me."

"No need for formalities." Emperor Jianwen raised his hand in a gesture of support, but his gaze had already passed over the man in green robes and landed on the deep cave entrance at the end of the square, which was sealed off by heavy restrictions. That was the entrance to the ruins of the Soul Refining Sect.

"Has the seal shown any unusual activity lately?"

A bitter smile appeared on Qingyizi's face. He pointed to the sky, then to the ground beneath his feet:

"Your Majesty must have noticed it as well. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth is dissipating, and this place is the most obvious example. Especially in the last three months, the aura emanating from the depths of this cave entrance... has become increasingly unsettling."

He led Emperor Jianwen to the edge of the cave entrance.

The layers of restrictive light barriers that Chen Fan had set up were now noticeably dimmer than they had been fifteen years ago, and occasionally, tiny ripples, like water breaking, would appear on the barriers.

Deep within the cave entrance, a faint, low whistling sound could be heard. The sound was unlike ordinary air currents; it was more like the panting of some enormous creature in its slumber, carrying a sense of oppressive unease.

"Just yesterday, the disciple on duty reported hearing a faint sound of chains being dragged inside the cave, along with... a sound like a low growl." The man in green lowered his voice, his face unable to conceal his fear.

"Although it's very slight, it definitely exists. Your Majesty, that old monster... is probably about to awaken. The sealing power is rapidly weakening."

Emperor Jianwen stared at the deep cave entrance, cautiously probing in with his divine sense. However, when he touched the barrier of light, he was repelled by a cold, violent, decaying, and resentful intent, which made his soul tremble slightly.

His face turned pale, and he quickly withdrew his divine sense, his heart filled with horror.

Even a mere wisp of escaping intent possesses such power. If that old demon were to truly break free...

"Master Chen said back then that the seal would last for at most a hundred years." The man in green robes trembled. "Now, only fifteen years have passed, and it's already like this... Your Majesty, if this old monster is truly allowed to escape, not only will the old site of the Qingyun Sect be devastated, but the entire sealed area will be filled with death and destruction, and no one will survive!"

Emperor Jianwen remained silent for a long time.

He knew that what Qingyizi said was true.

The patriarch of the Soul Refining Sect was a terrifying being who had reached the Integration Stage ten thousand years ago. Even though he was sealed and obliterated for ten thousand years, leaving only a remnant soul, he was still far beyond the reach of the cultivators in the sealed land who were at most at the Nascent Soul Stage.