This is the true immortal of the Taoist sect.

On Qingming Island in the Tianshui Marsh of the Xuanhuang Great World, Ban Yin and his good brother Da Hei are playing with a group of newly awakened spiritual beasts on the island.

Big Black was indeed that strange beast, the giant crocodile.

Back then, this giant crocodile risked being swallowed by Zhu Jiu to obtain a chance to become a guard outside the Dragon Palace.

Nourished by the dragon energy of Zhujiu over the years, the giant crocodile's bloodline has also undergone a significant transformation.

In addition, Gu Jiantang had grown close to Ban Yin in recent years. Considering that Ban Yin had a heart for Taoism and that his murderous aura had dissipated considerably, Gu Jiantang taught him some Taoist breathing techniques. He would also recite Taoist scriptures with Ban Yin in his spare time.

Several years later, the giant crocodile was able to transform into human form.

However, its cultivation level is still shallow and its transformation is not complete. It is somewhat similar to Ban Yin from three years ago, with a human body and an animal head, and its animal characteristics are still very obvious.

"Big Black, you can't hold your liquor, hahaha... Your tail's showing..."

Ban Yin, carrying a wine jar, pointed at Da Hei with a laugh, his cheeks flushed.

Big Black's eyes were glazed over, and he waved his hand, saying:

"Big brother...I...I can't take it anymore, I'm going to...I'm going to reveal my true form..."

Ban Yin quickly stepped forward and grabbed Da Hei Dao:

"No, no, no... If you make too much noise and alert our martial uncle, and he finds out we're drinking here, we'll definitely get a beating again..."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of fear flashed in Dahei's eyes. Yuqiong Daojun was usually very kind, but if someone made a mistake and Yuqiong found out, he could be quite fierce...

Big Black staggered and pointed into the distance, saying:

"Then...then I'll go into the water...I'll go into the water again..."

Ban Yin quickly replied:

"Quick, quick... get to the water..."

Big Black stood up, bent his knees, and jumped, intending to rush towards the water.

But they went the wrong way and ended up heading towards the center of the island.

Ban Yin was greatly alarmed upon seeing this.

"Hey... you big, clumsy guy, why are you going that way...?"

The center of the island is where our master is in seclusion. If we disturb him, we're doomed...

Ban Yin quickly chased after him, trying to stop Da Hei.

However, Dahei was so drunk that he couldn't recognize the road and crashed into things. Ban Yin didn't dare to make too much noise and couldn't catch up with him.

When he finally saw Big Black's figure, the two of them had already arrived at the most central location of the island.

Not far away is the legendary Ascension Platform.

Ban Yin grabbed Da Hei by the neck and roared:

"Where are you going? Come with me..."

Big Black, still half asleep, pointed ahead and said:

"Hey... Big brother... there's something glowing over there... could there be some treasure?"

Ban Yin didn't even turn his head, and said irritably:

"That's an ascension platform, there's no treasure there..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ban Yin realized something was wrong.

"The ascension platform...is glowing?"

He turned around abruptly and looked at the ascension platform.

Sure enough, the ascension platform, which was usually just an ordinary stone platform and pillars, was actually glowing.

The void in the center of the ascension platform seemed to be disturbed by some force, and ripples appeared.

The dazzling golden light shone through the ripples in the void, illuminating the surroundings in a golden glow.

At the same time, a bright and vast aura gradually emanated, causing enlightened cultivators like Ban Yin and Da Hei to instinctively feel a sense of fear.

"Ascension Platform...this is...this is someone ascending to heaven?"

Ban Yin was shocked, then slapped the big black head and ordered sternly:

"Big Black, lie down and don't move. I'll go tell my master..."

After saying that, Ban Yin transformed into a blur and ran towards a valley not far away, which was Gu Jiantang's exclusive secluded cultivation place.

"Uncle-Master, Uncle-Master... Someone has ascended! Someone has ascended!"

Ban Yin ran and shouted excitedly.

The master had previously explained that this ascension platform was connected to a grotto-heaven world, which could be considered the foundation of their Daoist sect.

Several of the master's disciples were cultivating within that grotto-heaven.

If there is any movement on the Ascension Platform, it means that someone in the grotto-heaven has completed their cultivation and is about to ascend.

After Ban Yin left, Daikoku, just as Ban Yin had instructed, lay on the ground and dared not move.

The aura was so oppressive that it sobered him up considerably.

Just then, the light on the ascension platform suddenly shone brightly.

A golden beam of light shot into the sky, and in an instant, numerous strange phenomena appeared in the heavens and earth.

In the void, the sound of Taoist scriptures being recited could even be heard, as if the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth were manifesting itself.

However, these strange phenomena did not escape the island, but were sealed inside by the Qimen formation set up by Li Daoxuan, without alarming the outside world.

Dahei looked up and saw that a middle-aged man in a blue Taoist robe had indeed appeared out of thin air above the ascension platform.

With lowered eyebrows and downcast eyes, he looked deep in thought.

Dahei only glanced at it before feeling the malevolent energy that had accumulated within him from eating and killing people begin to become uncontrollable.

I was so terrified that my heart almost stopped.

"Hmm? There's a baby crocodile?"

Just as Dahei was in shock, a voice suddenly rang in his ears.

He subconsciously looked up and was completely stunned.

His body froze on the spot, as if the blood in his body was about to freeze.

"Immortal... Immortal..."

He wanted to say hello, but he stammered for a long time and couldn't get a complete sentence out.

Seeing this, the Taoist in green smiled and gently patted the crocodile's head, saying:

"Don't be afraid. I can see Xiao Jiu's aura on you, so you must have received some guidance from her. Just call me Uncle-Master..."

The gentle tone and kind smile somewhat eased the fear in Dahei's heart, at least allowing him to finish a sentence.

He hurriedly knelt on the ground and kowtowed, saying:

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare, I've met an immortal..."

Just then, Ban Yin and Gu Jiantang returned and were startled to see Da Hei kneeling and kowtowing in front of the Taoist in green robes.

He rushed over and stood in front of Big Black, his voice trembling as he said:

"My lord, Dahei has stopped eating people. Please, my lord, don't kill him..."

The Taoist in green robes was taken aback upon hearing this, then chuckled and said:

Do I look like I'm about to make a move?

Gu Jiantang hurried over and scolded:

"Ban Yin, do not be rude..."

Then he cupped his hands to the Taoist in the blue robe and said:

"My name is Gu Jiantang, a disciple personally taught by the Dao Ancestor, and my Daoist name is Yuqiong."

"May I ask which senior brother ascended here?"

The Taoist priest in green returned the greeting with a hand seal and said gently:

"So it's Junior Brother Yuqiong, I am Qingfeng."

Upon hearing the name "Qingfeng," both Gu Jiantang and Ban Yin couldn't help but change their expressions drastically.

The two knelt down simultaneously and kowtowed deeply, saying:

"So it's the Headmaster (Senior Master) who has arrived. This disciple greets the Headmaster (Senior Master)..."

Qingfeng nodded gently and reached out a hand to help her up:

"No need for formalities, please rise..."

When Dahei, who was standing to the side, heard the words "Sect Leader," he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

The head of the Taoist sect is second only to the Taoist patriarch...

Thankfully, the malevolent aura on his body had faded considerably over the years through his cultivation of Taoist arts. Otherwise, if he had offended the sect leader, the Ancestral Dragon would probably have been the first to stand up and skin him alive...