He examined it carefully and asked, "How do I use this token?"
The shopkeeper lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "When you get to the foot of Wushan Mountain, you will see an ancient tree that is thousands of years old. Use the token to draw a circle on the trunk, and then silently say the word 'open' to activate the power of the token. But remember, you only have time for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, so you must hurry inside."
The next morning, Xiao Feng and Zhao Yuwei got up early to prepare for their journey to Wushan.
Meanwhile, the innkeeper was holding the rotten wooden staff, playing with it with great affection.
The waiter came over and asked curiously, "Shopkeeper, what kind of treasure is this? You seem to really like it."
The shopkeeper proudly waved the piece of wood in his hand: "What do you know! This is a priceless treasure, the legendary Rotten Wood Staff!"
The waiter curled his lip and said disdainfully, "Tch, this piece of broken wood? Even if it were a treasure, you couldn't handle it."
The shopkeeper was enraged by these words: "You brat, what do you know! Watch how I handle it!"
As he spoke, he gripped the wood tightly, closed his eyes, and channeled the power within it.
However, at that moment, something unexpected happened!
The rotten wooden staff suddenly trembled violently, and a powerful backlash sent the shopkeeper flying.
The rotten wooden staff suddenly rose into the air, emitting an eerie light, and flew away on its own!
"Ouch!" The shopkeeper fell flat on his backside, quickly scrambling to his feet while yelling, "Baby! My baby! Don't run away!"
He stumbled after him, leaving the dumbfounded waiter speechless, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
The rotten wooden staff drew a graceful arc in the air and disappeared into the distant mountains and forests.
Following the direction indicated by the shopkeeper, Xiao Feng and Zhao Yuwei finally arrived at the foot of Mount Wu.
They climbed along hidden paths, stopping from time to time to check their direction.
Finally, in a secluded valley, they saw the ancient tree the innkeeper had described.
This ancient tree soars into the clouds, its trunk so thick that it would take more than a dozen people to encircle it.
The bark is covered with the marks of time, and the branches intertwine and twist, like giant dragons lying in slumber.
The tree has a lush canopy that blocks out the sun and casts large shadows.
"This must be the ancient tree that's a thousand years old?" Xiao Feng asked in a low voice.
Zhao Yuwei nodded: "That should be it. Quick, try it with the token."
Xiao Feng took a deep breath and took out the token from his pocket.
He affixed the token to the rough tree trunk and slowly traced a circle along the grain. Then, he closed his eyes and silently uttered the word "open."
In an instant, the token emitted a dazzling light, and complex runes appeared on the surface of the ancient tree, flowing as if alive. A deep rumble came from underground, and a portal emitting a ghostly light appeared on the tree trunk.
"We succeeded!" Xiao Feng exclaimed in delight.
Zhao Yuwei frowned: "We need to hurry, the token's power can only last for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."
Just as the two were about to step through the door, a stern and authoritative voice suddenly rang out: "Halt!"
Xiao Feng and Zhao Yuwei turned around abruptly and saw a cultivator dressed in white robes and carrying a white longsword standing in mid-air. The man had a cold face, sharp eyes, and exuded a fierce aura.
"Who are you? How dare you trespass into the forbidden area of Wushan!" the white-robed cultivator shouted sternly.
Xiao Feng and Zhao Yuwei exchanged a glance, secretly realizing something was wrong.
Zhao Yuwei stepped forward, cupped her hands, and said, "Fellow Daoist, we have important business to attend to and must enter Wushan to investigate. Please do us a favor."
The white-robed cultivator sneered, "Mount Wu is a sacred land of immortals, not a place for mortals like you to enter and leave at will! Leave at once, or don't blame me for being impolite!"
Xiao Feng said urgently, "Fellow Daoist, we really have important matters to attend to. It will only take a short while and we will not disturb your sect."
"Shut up!" the white-robed cultivator roared. "If you don't leave now, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Seeing this, Zhao Yuwei whispered to Xiao Feng, "You go in quickly, I'll stop him."
Xiao Feng shook his head and said, "No, we must advance and retreat together. I can't abandon you."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuwei felt a warmth in her heart, but the situation was critical, leaving them no time to think. She quickly formed a hand seal, and a golden talisman appeared out of thin air, flying towards the white-robed cultivator.
The white-robed cultivator dodged the talisman with a swift movement and angrily shouted, "How dare you attack our disciples! You're courting death!" As he spoke, he reached for his waist, seemingly to pull out something.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Feng was alarmed: "Oh no, he's going to summon his fellow disciples!"
As expected, the white-robed cultivator took out a jade slip and gently squeezed it.
In an instant, spiritual energy surged between heaven and earth, and streaks of light flew in from all directions.
In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen cultivators dressed in white and carrying long swords appeared out of thin air and surrounded Xiao Feng and Zhao Yuwei.
These disciples of the immortal sects all possessed extraordinary auras, some holding magical artifacts, others making hand seals and chanting incantations, their eyes flashing with a sharp light.
Their robes fluttered without wind, and their bodies surged with spiritual energy, like moving hills, giving people an insurmountable sense of oppression.
"Oh no!" Xiao Feng thought to himself, realizing the situation was dire.
The sealed entrance they just opened is already starting to shrink back; if they don't go in now, it will be too late!
In a moment of desperation, Xiao Feng shoved Zhao Yuwei behind him and shouted, "Yuwei, step back!"
Xiao Feng formed hand seals and chanted incantations.
In an instant, the world changed color, and countless water droplets appeared out of thin air, condensing into a huge water curtain in the air.
The water curtain, like a sky curtain, enveloped the surroundings, crystal clear and shimmering with light.
"Water Curtain Sky Splendor!" Xiao Feng roared.
The water curtain suddenly burst open, turning into countless water arrows that shot out in all directions like a torrential rain.
Caught off guard, the disciples of the immortal sects hurriedly raised their swords to parry, and were in a flurry of activity.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Xiao Feng grabbed Zhao Yuwei's hand: "Let's go!"
The two of them shot towards the shrinking entrance like arrows released from a bow.
The angry shouts of the immortal sect disciples came from behind, but it was too late to stop them.
With a "whoosh," Xiao Feng and Zhao Yuwei passed through the portal and entered the Wushan Barrier.
Upon entering, the two were stunned by the sight before them.
Zhao Yuwei's eyes widened in disbelief as she asked, "What...what's going on?"
Xiao Feng also looked bewildered: "Didn't they say this place is blessed with outstanding people and abundant natural treasures?"
Looking around, there were no beautiful mountains and rivers to be seen, only a desolate mountain range.
The bare rocks were exposed, devoid of any vegetation. The sky was overcast, as if a downpour might begin at any moment.
In the distance, several dilapidated buildings can be vaguely seen, resembling ancient ruins abandoned for many years.
Just as the two were in shock, Zhao Yuwei suddenly shouted, "Watch out!"
She grabbed Xiao Feng's sleeve and pulled him back sharply.
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