He began his journey to becoming a true immortal by causing others to fail their tribulations.

Ding Yuan, the thief, was terrified, but the stolen pills were recovered intact. The Yu Dan Sect completed its mission, and no one died a violent death.

Lu Ge successfully completed the errand-running task, and Xun Yan received the system's reward.

Aside from Ding Yuan's death and the escaped Black Mist, this whole affair can be considered a happy ending for everyone.

Having successfully returned to the Misty Sect, Lu Ge went to hand in his mission, while Xun Yan returned to his inner sect cave.

After closing the door and activating the defensive formation, Xun Yan took out the Spirit Tower Mystic Pill.

This is a semi-transparent pill, with visible pill patterns flowing inside, somewhat like a glass marble enveloped in a halo.

And the moment it was taken out, the entire cave was filled with the fragrance of the elixir.

If it weren't for the defensive array tightly confining the fragrance within the cave, probably most of the people in the inner sect area would have been able to smell it.

Although he had been mentally prepared and had taken sufficient measures, the strange phenomena of the Spirit Tower Mystic Elixir still far exceeded Xun Yan's expectations.

Fearing that something unexpected might happen if he continued to delay, Xun Yan quickly swallowed the pill.

The elixir dissolved completely the moment it entered Xun Yan's body, transforming into pure energy that flowed into Xun Yan's spirit tower.

Xun Yan closed his eyes, sat cross-legged, and focused all his energy on circulating the inner sect techniques of the Misty Sect.

At first, the spirit tower only shimmered with golden light, but as time went by, the light gradually turned into a kaleidoscope of colors.

The already crystal-like spirit tower became even more crystal clear.

With a sound of something hatching, a crack appeared on the bottom layer of the spirit tower, and the crack continued to grow larger.

It's not that there's a problem with the spirit tower, but rather that the spirit tower is "growing".

Then another layer grew out of the crack, followed by a second layer, and then a third layer.

Ding--

Amidst a crisp, wind-chime-like sound, the spirit tower burst forth with five-colored light, and the spirit sea surged with towering waves.

However, before these rays of light could travel very far, they were all absorbed by the spirit tower, and the surging spiritual sea gradually calmed down.

Above the spiritual sea, a twelve-story spiritual tower, seemingly formed from five-colored light, floats.

Xun Yan opened his eyes, and his pupils also shimmered with a dazzling array of colors.

However, these lights quickly subsided, eventually returning to their original deep blackness.

Exhaling a breath of stale air, Xun Yan involuntarily clenched his fist.

"A twelve-story spirit tower, the best number of stories recorded on the Spirit Sea Continent, barring any unforeseen circumstances."

Even if I cultivate step by step, breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage is only a matter of time. My current aptitude can no longer be considered that of a prodigy, but rather a monster!

Feeling increasingly agitated, Xun Yan quickly recited a calming mantra, and with the added blessing of Thunder Heart Clarity, he swiftly calmed down.

"Stay calm! Play it safe! Absolutely no recklessness! If people find out about my talent, I'm not safe even within the Misty Sect, let alone outside."

Someone might try to eliminate me while I'm still weak, to prevent me from becoming a threat once I grow stronger.

Furthermore, there are spies from the Joyful Union Sect within the Misty Sect, so even though I'm within the Misty Sect, I can't afford to be complacent in the slightest!

Thinking of this, Xun Yan closed his eyes again and circulated his Daoist magic, allowing the spirit tower to slowly sink into the spiritual sea.

In this way, unless powerful beings specifically investigate, outsiders would have virtually no way of knowing his qualifications.

He is currently just an ordinary inner disciple, and should not be of any interest to those powerful figures.

After doing all this, Xun Yan flipped his wrist and took out the mysterious leaf from his spatial ring.

He examined it closely, but no matter what he tried, the leaf remained unresponsive.

The only difference is that after absorbing the blood light, the leaves seem to become more moist and feel warm and comfortable to the touch.

"So what exactly is this leaf? And what is that black mist? The remnant soul of some powerful evil cultivator? It doesn't quite seem like it..."

Well, I guess I'll just have to explore it slowly in the future. Maybe when I reach a higher level, I'll be able to make this leaf recognize me as its master.

Then I can obtain its information through the system. For now, I should focus on building a solid foundation and improving my skills to prepare for the future.

Thinking of this, Xun Yan put away the leaves and began to go into seclusion to consolidate his cultivation.

at the same time.

Underground in some desolate mountain wilderness.

A figure completely shrouded in a black robe was also meditating cross-legged, with black smoke and blood light constantly emanating from his body.

That pure malice almost materialized, making it terrifying to even get close to, and even making it difficult to breathe.

The man in black robes suddenly sensed something, and when he raised his hand, ripples appeared in the space.

Immediately afterwards, the fleeing streak of blood-red light shot out from the spatial ripples and finally landed in the palm of the black-robed man.

After reading the message brought by the bloodstains, the black-robed man's aura surged dramatically.

In that instant, several more dark figures appeared around them. A tall, thin figure spoke up, "Master, what has happened?"

The man in black robes said, "I just received a message from Demon Raven; he has found the Bodhi Jade Leaf."

"What! Where is it?" The other shadowy figures were shocked at first, then overjoyed, just like the black mist had reacted.

"The Misty Sect," the man in black robes said.

Upon hearing that it was from the Misty Sect, the figures present became noticeably calmer.

"This is really a bit difficult. In the past, sects like the Misty Sect wouldn't even be worthy of carrying our shoes, but now..." said the tall, thin figure.

A short, stout figure in dark shadows asked, "My lord, did the Demon Crow say exactly where he is in the Misty Sect? What is he doing now?"

The man in black robes spoke, "Blood Raven is dead. He sacrificed his own life to send this message back."

However, the message was attacked during its transmission, so currently all we know is that the Bodhi Jade Leaf is with an inner disciple of the Misty Sect.

"An inner disciple? Able to kill a demonic crow?" A slender, dark figure asked with slight surprise.

The tall, thin, dark figure said, "It's nothing. I reckon the Demon Raven's condition is definitely bad; it's probably just a remnant soul left."

The opponent still possesses the Bodhi Jade Leaf; if they also have an elder protecting them, the remnant soul of the demonic crow is definitely no match for them.

The short, stout figure spoke up: "However, this is good news for us. Although the Misty Sect has a considerable number of inner disciples..."

However, snatching the Bodhi Jade Leaf from an inner disciple is much easier than directly confronting the higher-ups of the Misty Sect.

The alluring figure in black said, "It's a pity we haven't recovered to our full strength yet, otherwise we could even challenge the higher-ups of the Misty Sect."

After a moment of silence, the man in black robes spoke:

"You will split into two groups: one will conduct overt investigations and make arrangements, while the other will try to infiltrate the Misty Sect."

We must obtain the Bodhi Jade Leaf; it is the key to our reclaiming of dominance.

"Yes, sir!" the shadowy figures replied in unison.