Entering the Stone Forest

Yan Zhao had not gone far when a strange Stone Forest suddenly appeared ahead. Every stone emanated an eerie aura, with faint glimmers of light flickering across them. The moment he stepped into the Stone Forest, the rocks slowly began to move, forming one intricate formation after another and trapping him within. Yan Zhao tried to break through with immortal techniques, only to find the formation exceptionally resilient. His techniques vanished into it like mud oxen entering the sea, accomplishing nothing.

Just as anxiety gripped him, the Inherited Ancient Tome lit up again. Runes emerged one after another, forming a method to break the formation before his eyes. Yan Zhao followed its instructions, his fingers continuously shifting through hand seals. As he completed the final seal, the formation's glow gradually dimmed, and the stones stopped moving.

After leaving the Stone Forest, Yan Zhao saw a pavilion in the distance radiating immortal light. Powerful restrictions surrounded it, and the instant he drew near, a tremendous force sent him flying back. Yan Zhao knew this was another challenge. He took a deep breath, tightly gripped the ancient tome in his hand, and prepared himself to face another unknown trial.

As Yan Zhao considered how to break through the restrictions, an aged yet imposing voice suddenly came from within the pavilion. "Who goes there, and why have you trespassed here?" Yan Zhao hurriedly clasped his fists in salute and replied respectfully, "Senior, this junior is Yan Zhao. I happened to pass through this place and saw the pavilion shining with immortal light, which stirred my admiration. I meant no offense." The voice fell silent for a moment before saying, "If that is so, then if you can withstand three of my attacks, I will allow you inside." As the words fell, a sharp surge of Immortal Power shot toward Yan Zhao like lightning.

Yan Zhao did not dare be careless. He circulated the power granted by the ancient tome and condensed a shield to block the attack. The Immortal Power struck the shield with a deafening boom, sending Yan Zhao staggering back again and again. Yet he steadied himself, his gaze growing even firmer. Then came the second attack, followed immediately by the third. Relying on the power of the inheritance and his own unyielding will, Yan Zhao barely managed to withstand all three. The voice carried a note of approval. "Not bad. You have some skill." Then, the restrictions slowly dispersed. Filled with excitement, Yan Zhao stepped into the pavilion. He knew that it might contain an opportunity to take his strength to the next level.

The moment Yan Zhao entered the pavilion, his view opened up. The interior was spacious and bright, with all manner of rare treasures displayed around him. At the center, a white-haired elder with the bearing of an immortal sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion. The elder smiled faintly and said, "Young man, the fact that you endured my three attacks shows that you possess some talent. This pavilion contains the Essence of Immortal Techniques I have comprehended throughout my life. If you can pass the final trial, you may take it with you." With a wave of his hand, countless phantoms appeared around them. Each transformed into a powerful Immortal and charged at Yan Zhao. Yan Zhao knew this was the final stage and did not dare relax in the slightest.

He circulated all the Immortal Power in his body and unleashed the exquisite spells from the Inherited Ancient Tome, engaging the phantoms in a fierce battle. For a time, immortal light flashed throughout the pavilion, and the sounds of clashing spells rang without end. After an unknown length of time, Yan Zhao gradually gained the upper hand through his unbreakable perseverance and exceptional insight. In the end, he successfully defeated every phantom. The elder nodded in satisfaction and handed Yan Zhao an Immortal Technique Manual that emitted a mysterious glow. Yan Zhao accepted it respectfully, his heart filled with gratitude and excitement. He knew that his path of immortal cultivation would become even more glorious because of this manual.

Just as Yan Zhao was about to thank the elder again, the pavilion suddenly began to shake violently. An evil aura spread up from beneath the ground. The elder's expression changed. "This is bad. The seal has loosened—the evil power is about to awaken!" It turned out that an ancient evil entity had been suppressed beneath the pavilion, and the fierce battle just now had created a flaw in the seal.

The elder immediately said, "Quickly use the power of the Immortal Technique Manual you have just obtained and reinforce the seal with me!" Yan Zhao did not hesitate. He immediately opened the manual and circulated his Immortal Power according to its instructions. Together, he and the elder unleashed a powerful spell, its light enveloping the entire pavilion. However, the evil entity's power was too great, and the seal continued to crack.

Yan Zhao gritted his teeth and poured all his Immortal Power into the seal without holding anything back. Through his and the elder's desperate efforts, the seal finally stabilized. But Yan Zhao had exhausted himself too severely and fainted from lack of strength. When he woke again, he found himself outside the pavilion. The Immortal Technique Manual lay quietly in his arms, as though foreshadowing an even more perilous and thrilling journey of immortal cultivation ahead.