Possessed by my father, I was reborn and became the supreme ruler.

A moment later, the bamboo door slowly opened, and an old man dressed in a blue robe appeared before everyone. His hair and beard were all white, his face was thin, and his deep eyes seemed to contain endless wisdom.

"What is it?" Elder Lingfeng's voice was deep and resonant, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

Ye Yunjian briefly reported that he had broken the restriction, obtained the ancient book, and needed the rune key to enter the Burning Heaven Valley.

After listening to Ye Yunjian's account, Elder Lingfeng frowned slightly. After pondering for a moment, he slowly said, "This rune key is of great importance, concerning the safety of my Xuanhuo Sect. I cannot hand it over easily."

Standing beside Elder Lingfeng was a woman with a graceful figure and beautiful appearance; she was none other than his prized disciple, Senior Sister Mo Yun.

At this moment, she glanced at Ye Yunjian with disdain, her tone laced with mockery: "You think you can even peek into the forbidden area of ​​my Xuanhuo Sect? You're truly overestimating yourself!"

Ye Yunjian's gaze suddenly turned cold, and an invisible pressure emanated from him.

He looked directly at Mo Yun and said firmly, "My actions are for the future of the Xuanhuo Sect, not for my own selfish gain!"

"Hmph, all talk and no action!" Mo Yun sneered.

The atmosphere between Ye Yunjian and Mo Yun was tense, as if a conflict could erupt at any moment.

Seeing this, Elder Lingfeng slowly raised his hand, signaling the two to quiet down, and then slowly said, "Ye Yunjian, it's not impossible for you to obtain the rune key..."

Just as the atmosphere was tense, Nie Hanshan suddenly stepped forward, his voice steady and powerful: "Elder Lingfeng, I have something to report. This matter of the rune key is of great importance. But I remember that the sect has an ancient precept that if a disciple can prove his ability and sincerity, he can obtain the rune key. This matter is closely related to the development of our sect and cannot be delayed."

Elder Lingfeng's eyes lit up slightly, and Senior Sister Mo Yun also put away her contemptuous expression, clearly moved by Nie Hanshan's words.

Elder Lingfeng pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Elder Nie is right. The sect's ancient precepts are indeed true. Ye Yunjian, if you can prove your ability and sincerity, I can consider giving you the rune key."

Ye Yunjian's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately understood Nie Hanshan's intention.

He took a deep breath and said firmly, "Elder, please grant me the test. I will do my utmost!"

Elder Lingfeng nodded, his eyes carrying a hint of testing: "I will give you one day to complete a rune trial. The trial involves analyzing a complex rune stone and drawing the runes on it onto talisman paper. Only by successfully completing the trial can you prove that you are qualified."

Ye Yunjian nodded without hesitation: "Disciple obeys!"

Nie Hanshan and Bai Yueling also cheered Ye Yunjian on.

Bai Yueling said with a face full of admiration, "Senior brother, you can definitely do it!"

Time passed second by second, and Ye Yunjian devoted himself wholeheartedly to the rune trial.

Using his memories from his previous life and the knowledge he gained after his rebirth, he quickly deciphered the various runes on the runestone.

Each rune appeared in his mind one by one, like a series of complex patterns.

He carefully drew these runes on the talisman paper, striving for perfection in every detail.

Finally, as the sun set and the rune trial ended, Ye Yunjian successfully completed the drawing of all the runes.

He respectfully presented the talisman to Elder Lingfeng.

Elder Lingfeng took the talisman and examined it carefully: "Elder Nie was right about you. I am willing to give you this talisman key."

Ye Yunjian took the rune key, a surge of indescribable excitement welling up inside him.

He looked at Nie Hanshan, Bai Yueling, and Elder Lingfeng, and said gratefully, "Thank you, Elder, and thank you, fellow disciples."

Everyone offered their congratulations, and the atmosphere was joyous.

However, when Ye Yunjian walked out of the bamboo forest with the rune key and arrived at the entrance to the forbidden land, he suddenly felt a powerful force blocking their way.

This force acted like an invisible barrier, keeping them out.

Ye Yunjian frowned slightly, his gaze fixed firmly ahead, pondering in his heart how to break through this mysterious power.

He gripped the rune key tightly and said to Bai Yueling and Nie Hanshan beside him, "It seems that the real test has only just begun."

Ye Yunjian took a deep breath, stepped forward, and entered the edge of that forbidden land. The mysterious power around them seemed to become even more violent at this moment, as if warning them of their arrival.

Ye Yunjian stared at the outer edge of the forbidden land, where the visible distorted air churned like boiling water, radiating a heart-palpitating aura.

He took a deep breath, gripping the rune key tightly in his hand. A burning sensation emanated from the key, as if it were resonating with that mysterious power.

Bai Yueling followed closely behind him, her face slightly pale, yet she stubbornly refused to back down, her clear eyes filled with boundless trust in her senior brother.

Nie Hanshan and Gu Ling also gathered around, and a tense atmosphere filled the four of them. This beginning of exploration foreshadowed unknown dangers.

"Let me try first," Ye Yunjian said in a deep voice. The Xuanhuo True Qi in his dantian surged out and gathered in his palm along the meridians. The blazing flames danced in his hand, reflecting his resolute face.

He slammed his palm into the distorted air, and flames roared out like a fire dragon, crashing into the barrier.

With a deafening roar, the flames collided with the barrier, unleashing a dazzling light, and a powerful recoil force sent Ye Yunjian staggering back several steps.

The barrier rippled slightly but did not break.

At the same time, a dark figure darted out from the barrier like lightning, carrying a suffocating sense of oppression.

The shadow gradually solidified, revealing a tall and imposing figure.

He was dressed in black, with a cold and stern face, eyes as sharp as ice, and an aura of icy chill emanating from his entire body.

Nie Hanshan exclaimed in a low voice, "The Shadow Demon, the guardian of the Forbidden Land, how could he be here?"

The Shadow Demon's speed was astonishing; it almost became a blur, instantly closing in on Ye Yunjian.

He formed his five fingers into claws, and with a sharp gust of wind, he grabbed at Ye Yunjian's throat.

Ye Yunjian quickly dodged to the side, barely avoiding the fatal blow, but the strong wind still grazed his cheek, leaving a small bloodstain.

"Senior brother!" Bai Yueling exclaimed, her worry evident in her voice.

Nie Hanshan and Gu Ling were also on high alert, ready to lend a hand at any time.

The Shadow Demon's attacks were like a relentless storm, and Ye Yunjian could only parry, constantly facing peril.

Each collision put him under immense pressure; the Shadow Demon's power far exceeded his expectations. He was only at the peak of the Profound Sword realm, and without his trump card, he would have found it difficult to withstand.