The dew in the morning flows, as the sun rises, the mist converges.

Endless Mountains, between the solitary city and the valley.

In a seemingly ordinary Secluded Valley in the southern part of Eastern Emperor Heaven, an old Immortal with a broad bald forehead, white hair and beard, and a ruddy complexion, rode a deer leisurely, appearing benevolent and friendly.

A tea time later, two middle-aged Daoists wearing Eight Diagrams Purple Ribbon Immortal Robes arrived from different directions and descended from the clouds into the Secluded Valley.

If there were Primordial Immortal Gods present, they would recognize at a glance the robes of the two men as the attire of the first two among the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chan Sect—Guang Chengzi and Chi Jingzi.

These two were among the most well-known of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect.

After Yuanshi Tianzun achieved Sainthood at the foot of Kunlun Mountain, he laid out a Great Formation. He declared that anyone who could pass the Great Formation and ring either the Golden Bell or the Jade Chime, two Innate Spiritual Treasures, would officially become his disciple.

Guang Chengzi and Chi Jingzi were the ones who passed the Great Formation first.

The former struck the Golden Bell, the latter struck the Jade Chime.

Not only did they each obtain one of the two Innate Spiritual Treasures, the Golden Bell and the Jade Chime, but they also received the Eight Diagrams Purple Immortal Robe—a protective treasure from Yuanshi Tianzun.

At this moment, after these two Saint's Disciples landed in the Secluded Valley, they first paid their respects to the old Immortal with the broad bald forehead.

"Greetings to Nanji Senior Brother."

Nanji Immortal returned the greeting with a calm and gentle voice.

"There's no need for such formalities, my disciples."

Impatient by nature, Chi Jingzi directly asked, "Senior Brother, you summoned us here with the Sound Transmission Treasure Pearl, may I ask if you have any instructions?"

Nanji Immortal replied with a smile, "It's not really an instruction, but rather that I've followed the array patterns on the Star Banner and chased clues, discovering that this Secluded Valley seems to conceal a Grotto Heaven. While others have yet to unravel the secret of the Star Banner, I wished to invite you two disciples to explore together."

"A Grotto Heaven?"

Guang Chengzi and Chi Jingzi's expressions instantly became solemn.

A so-called Grotto Heaven refers to a cave within a mountain that connects to the heavens and penetrates various other mountains.

It usually denotes a place artificially developed by Cultivators for cultivation.

It might look like just a cave, but inside lies another world.

Empty yet holding everything, creating from nothing; large encompasses small, within small lies the immense.

Both Guang Chengzi and Chi Jingzi had their own Grotto Heavens; the former in Kongtong Mountain, the latter in Taixu Mountain, both indeed first-rate blessed lands.

Eastern Emperor Heaven belongs to the vast world within the Chaos Bell, so who is most likely to create a Grotto Heaven here?

Naturally, it would be the former master of the Chaos Bell, Donghuang Taiyi, who was born holding the bell!

Thinking this, joy couldn't help but shine through their eyes.

"Thank you for your care, Senior Brother!"

There were so many disciples in the Chan Sect, and it was no coincidence that only the two of them were summoned; it was obviously a thoughtful gesture.

Guang Chengzi and Chi Jingzi were both tactful enough to understand this intention.

"You brothers are too courteous."

Nanji Immortal nodded slightly, and he took the lead in spurring the deer towards the depths of the Secluded Valley, speaking faintly, "Ahead lies a great formation encircling the area. To break the formation, we will need the strength of my two disciples..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a sudden "whoosh" sounded. Several dazzling divine lights flared up, spiraling and seeking to kill him, blocking all his escape routes.

This was a deadly Great Formation, which now being triggered, drew upon the spiritual power of the earth's ley lines to form divine lights intent on slaughtering all intruders.

But such a power was obviously not enough to pose a threat to Nanji Immortal.

He didn't even need to lift a finger; Guang Chengzi behind him waved his sleeve, shattering it.

Ahead, however, layers upon layers of Great Formation illusions began to emerge from the air.

The formations were stacked upon each other, endless in sight.

The three of them proceeded, breaking through formations along the way.

After an unknown amount of time, Guang Chengzi, growing impatient, raised his hand and conjured a clump of verdant spiritual light, which he lightly pressed against the air in front, like using a seal.

In an instant.

The ground cracked open, mountains shattered, boulders flew about, and dust enveloped the surroundings.

This seemingly gentle press had the power to pulverize everything within hundreds of miles in front of them, and the Great Formation ahead also collapsed in part.

He didn't waste time trying to figure out how to break the formation but directly destroyed the land where the formation was based, causing its foundation to partly collapse.

Watching this, Chi Jingzi's eyes flashed with faint envy, and he laughed, "Brother, your Sky Flipping Seal's might is tremendous indeed; it seems almost an overkill for breaking formations."

"I used the Sky Flipping Seal as I wish to break the formation as soon as possible, to prevent others from finding this place."

As Guang Chengzi spoke, he retracted the Sky Flipping Seal, his face revealing a slightly smug look.

The Sky Flipping Seal was a treasure personally bestowed by his master, Yuanshi Tianzun, to recognize his support for the Human Emperor Xuanyuan. Rumor has it, the seal was crafted from the remnants of the Heavenly Pillar, Buzhou Mountain, making it a top-quality Acquired Spiritual Treasure with boundless power.

Even with his current pinnacle Taiyi Golden Immortal Dao Xing, he could not unleash the full power of this treasure.

"You worry too much, brother," Chi Jingzi said with a smile. "This Secluded Valley is so hidden, only Senior Brother Nanji with profound Dao Xing and great fortune could find it this quickly.

For others, even if they realize that the Star Banner conceals mysteries, they wouldn't be able to arrive here so soon..."

His words were cut short by a cry of surprise coming from far away in the sky.

"Look, that valley seems to be the marked treasure location on the treasure map!"

"Heavy formations above the valley - indeed a place where treasures are hidden!"

"We've finally found it!"

"I can't believe that the treasure map I exchanged for a piece of copper is actually real!"

"..."

Inside the valley, Chi Jingzi stared in astonishment at the group of Heavenly Immortals, Earth Immortals, and True Immortals rapidly approaching, feeling a sting on his face as if he had been slapped.

Beside him, the always composed Nanji Immortal also showed a slight awkwardness on his face.

Though Chi Jingzi's previous words might have sounded flattering, they were indeed based on fact.

Who else could have found the Star Banner's hidden mechanism and located this valley, if not for the Nanji Immortal?

Yet how did these Immortal Gods, who don't even possess the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit, find this place?

However, what surprised them even more was yet to come.

They saw a group of Immortal Gods approaching without descending from their clouds, and from a distance, another large group of Immortal Gods appeared.

It was as if a switch had been activated; in the following time, every few incense sticks' worth of time, a group of Immortal Gods swarmed in.

In just a short few hours, the originally tranquil valley was overrun with immortals.

Randeng, Juyu Sun, Duobao, Golden Spirit, and other disciples of the Saint Sects all rushed over, and even Independent Immortals like Jiutian Xuan Nu had gathered.

Above the heavenly vault, colorful fierce birds swept across the sky; from the depths of the jungle, nine-headed green lions roared towards the heavens.

"What exactly is going on? Why did everyone find this place?" Guang Chengzi couldn't help but ask.

"Somebody was trading a treasure map, and we all found our way here by following it..."

Randeng Daoist explained while curiously surveying Nanji Immortal, Guang Chengzi, and Chi Jingzi, "Didn't you exchange for a treasure map?"

"I…"

The three looked at each other and nodded in unison, without prior agreement.

"We did, we all did."

…

"It's true what they say, there's strength in numbers; we found the treasure location so quickly."

Outside the Secluded Valley, Yu Yuan and Yun Zhongzi arrived a little later.

Looking at the Secluded Valley's skies filled with Great Formations and the dense figures of the Immortal Gods, Yun Zhongzi felt unsure, "Could it be that there really is treasure here?"

Yu Yuan smiled, "Whether there's treasure or a trap, we just wait outside quietly."

"Hmm?"

Yun Zhongzi glanced at him, curious, "Does Daoist Brother not plan to go in search of treasure?"

Yu Yuan was noncommittal, "I'm more curious about the person who distributed the Star Banner's purpose."

Yun Zhongzi became even more convinced that he hadn't misjudged him.

While everyone else was feverishly searching for treasure, only he wanted to find out who was behind the scenes.

"I wish to join Daoist Brother in thoroughly investigating this matter!"

Yun Zhongzi expressed his stance, then asked curiously, "What should we do next?"

"Just wait quietly."

Yu Yuan casually replied, his gaze not fixed on the Great Formation above the Secluded Valley, but rather scanning its surroundings.

Yun Zhongzi couldn't help but be curious, but seeing the confidence in Yu Yuan, he didn't inquire further.

Just as Yu Yuan had said, with many Immortal Gods joining, the Great Formation above the Secluded Valley was quickly broken.

Although the formations became increasingly strong as they went, there were too many Daluo Golden Immortals present.

By the afternoon, the Great Formations above the Secluded Valley were all broken, revealing a majestic and resplendent gateway.

Deep green, constructed of glaze; brilliantly shiny, adorned with precious jewels.

At first glance.

Golden light flourished in thousands, auspicious qi sprayed purple mist in hundreds of streamers.

Behind the gates, one could vaguely see perennially blooming famous flowers, and the ageless emeraldery.

Further away.

Pavilions and towers were scattered about, connecting with the Heavenly Palace.

Stars dazzled, golden tiles shone bright.

"This is the Demon Emperor's Secret Capital!"

In the Secluded Valley, someone shouted, sending a passionate gleam through the eyes of the gathered Immortal Gods.

"I bear the Queen Mother of the West's command to reclaim the secret treasure once bestowed upon the Demon Emperor!"

Jiutian Xuan Nu exclaimed, riding a five-colored phoenix and flying first toward the Heavenly Palace Gate.

"Make way! Don't block the path!"

Somebody let out a cold hum, and then a five-colored auspicious light sped swiftly towards the Heavenly Palace Gate, disappearing into the endless Heavenly Palaces.

Like a fuse had been ignited, countless Immortal Gods surged towards the Heavenly Palace Gate like a tidal wave.

Disciples of the Chan and Cut Sects all set out, and in an instant, they all charged in.

Outside the Secluded Valley, Yun Zhongzi exclaimed, "It seems we were wrong; the treasure map on the Star Banner is real!"

Yu Yuan slightly furrowed his brow, not responding.

At that moment, a slender Daoist in a gray robe flashed out from inside the Secluded Valley and dashed towards the southwest without looking back.

Yu Yuan's eyes brightened, "Here he comes!"

Yun Zhongzi glanced at him questioningly and followed his gaze. Upon seeing the gray-robed Daoist, he grew curious, "The gates of the Heavenly Palace have opened, yet he does not go in to seek treasure; why is he leaving instead?"

Yu Yuan glanced at him, "Now we face two choices: either go into the Heavenly Palace to seek treasure or follow him to see. Which do you choose?"

"If it's up to me to choose..."

Yun Zhongzi hesitated for a moment, then spoke earnestly, "Then I choose to follow and see. The one who secretly spread the fake Star Banner might very well be him!"

Yu Yuan nodded, "Alright, then let's follow and see!"

Seeing him forsake the treasure in the Heavenly Palace, Yun Zhongzi became even more convinced of his judgment.

Certainly, a True Immortal of Dao who regarded treasures as mere dirt, it's baffling how Dao Xing and the others could have gotten it so wrong.

Meanwhile, he was unaware that at this moment, Yu Yuan was also quietly calculating in his heart: Considering Yun Zhongzi's destiny and my own clues, it all points to that gray-robed Daoist...

This time, I must take a gamble!

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