Ascension Day

Although Da Zhong had experienced ancient times and witnessed the legends of the Ancient Qi Refiners, it wasn’t entirely certain. It said, "Theoretically, it’s possible. But since my creation, I have never heard of anyone successfully Crossing the Tribulation and becoming a Flying Immortal."

Its voice grew somber as it said, "The path to Ascension has been sealed. It’s impossible for anyone to ascend anymore... Could someone really use the Sword Dao to break through the barrier between the two realms and ascend from the mortal plane?"

Yuan Qi asked, "If he ascended, then what world did he go to?"

A serene chime rang out. "The Immortal Realm."

"The Immortal Realm?"

The man and the snake were lost in a reverie.

Xu Ying looked at the great fissure, the broken cliff, and the temple gate, and understood the trajectory of the sword strike.

As his connection with the Sword Box deepened, the Sword Intent of that heavenly, rainbow-like sword strike gradually permeated his Mysterious Domain. Meanwhile, the Sword Qi within the box also rejoiced, throbbing restlessly.

Xu Ying stood silently before the temple gate, not moving for a long while. Yuan Qi was about to go over and ask him something, but as he drew near, he suddenly saw faint, invisible Sword Qi dancing all around Xu Ying.

He had only gotten a little closer when several scales on his body silently snapped off!

Yuan Qi was alarmed and dared not get any closer.

Suddenly, Da Zhong vibrated and let out a soft chime. An invisible strand of Sword Qi had landed on its body, striking it.

Da Zhong was puzzled. It was only then that it noticed a streak of sword light like a celestial rainbow had appeared within Xu Ying’s Mysterious Domain, seemingly out of nowhere!

’He comprehended a Dao Image without a teacher?’ Da Zhong was flabbergasted.

The young woman in the coffin had mentioned the relationship between Contemplation and the Dao Image to Xu Ying, but she hadn’t explained it in detail. She also hadn’t said what a Dao Image was, or how to practice Contemplation after discovering one.

But it never expected that Xu Ying, standing before this great fissure, would actually teach himself how to contemplate the Dao Image hidden within it!

Inner Observation and Contemplation is an essential path in Cultivation, and one could say that Xu Ying had now taken his first step!

’With just a little guidance, he achieved Inner Observation and Contemplation. Before long, he’ll surely transform and shock everyone.’

Da Zhong thought to itself, ’His aptitude and comprehension... compared to my master, it seems... it seems...’

"Xiaoqi, have you comprehended the Dao Image?" Da Zhong asked Yuan Qi via a Divine Sense transmission.

Yuan Qi was confused. "The Dao... what?"

"The Dao Image. It’s the Sword Dao hidden in this great fissure... Forget it. Just rest."

Da Zhong swayed its bell body and thought, ’This kid is just like Ying. They both saw Yuan Tiangang’s sword and came to this great fissure, but neither of them sensed a thing. It just goes to show, some people have a brain, while others just have something that’s *called* a brain.’

The Sword Intent emanating from Xu Ying grew stronger, spreading all around. Suddenly, a clear sword hum rang through the air. His overflowing Sword Qi had encountered another stream of Sword Qi, and the two collided, producing the ringing sound.

The refined young man had finished his painting and was immersed in comprehending his Hidden Scenery. His own Sword Qi was growing, and when it collided with Xu Ying’s, the clash was between two distinct styles. One was wild and tyrannical; the other was long and flowing, possessing a hidden resilience and a murderous edge.

Their Qi Mechanisms resonated with one another. Their Sword Qi intertwined and clashed with increasing intensity. Merely through this connection of their auras, they displayed the Sword Dao’s dance of attack and retreat.

However, neither of them was aware of this, as they remained immersed in their own respective states of comprehension.

Seeing the clash between Xu Ying’s and the young man’s Qi Mechanisms, the old servant in green robes grew worried that Xu Ying would interrupt his young master’s comprehension. A murderous glint appeared in his eyes, and he prepared to kill Xu Ying on the spot.

But he quickly saw that under Xu Ying’s pressure, his young master’s Hidden Scenery was actually solidifying, allowing him to comprehend even more of its variations. Only then did he forcefully suppress his killing intent.

’This boy’s comprehension is impressive. He can actually contend with the Young Master.’ A look of surprise appeared on his face.

He could see that Xu Ying was also improving rapidly. His various Sword Qi attacks were controlled and measured, and his understanding of the Sword Dao hidden in the great fissure was growing deeper and deeper.

’The Young Master hasn’t met a worthy match in a long time.’

The old servant in green robes was filled with shock and suspicion. He thought to himself, ’Could this boy be a young expert cultivated by some great Noble Family? His clothes are plain, so he’s likely pretending to be a country boy. But his temperament is so extraordinary—how could any country boy possess such an air?’

Xu Ying wore simple clothes, but he had an otherworldly temperament and a dignified, imposing bearing. The untamed pride hidden between his brows would flash out like the edge of a blade!

After killing the Jiang Family God, he had cut a path of slaughtering gods and killing officials, shattering his own superstitious reverence for Divine Spirits and authority. His every word and action naturally carried an extraordinary air.

Even just standing there, without moving or speaking, one could see how extraordinary he was.

’What’s more, he has such a magnificent steed. It’s clear his origins are anything but simple.’

The old servant in green robes glanced at Yuan Qi and thought, ’But his Qi Mechanism is entangled with the Young Master’s. If they cannot be separated, I fear it will lead to injury or death. When that time comes, I don’t care what his origins are, I will have to eliminate him!’

The connection between Xu Ying’s and the young man’s Qi Mechanisms grew deeper and deeper, finally reaching a point where life and death would be decided. A murderous glint flashed in the old servant’s eyes, and he was just about to deliver a fatal blow when suddenly, a bell chimed, and the two’s entangled Qi Mechanisms unexpectedly dispersed.

’He has an expert hidden by his side!’ The old servant in green robes was shocked, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

Xu Ying heard the bell chime and knew it was Da Zhong who had dispersed their battling Qi Mechanisms. Seeing the young man packing up his painting and heading toward the temple, he quickly called out, "Friend, my name is Xu Ying. What’s yours?"

The refined young man turned back and said politely, "My name is Yuan Weiyang." After speaking, he and the old servant in green robes walked into the Water Gate Temple.

"Yuan Weiyang."

Xu Ying repeated the name, then said to Yuan Qi, "I originally thought I could grasp the entirety of the Sword Dao within the Dao Image. But after clashing with his Qi Mechanism, I saw a side to it I had yet to comprehend. That man is truly remarkable."