Day of Ascension

Xu Ying said quietly, “Master Qi, Master Niu, I think there’s something wrong with Xu Fu’s mind. Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. We’d better leave. Master Zhong, can we get away?”

Dazhong charged at Xu Fu and shouted, “Won’t we know once we try? I’ll hold him off. You go first!”

Xu Ying and Yuanqi were both stunned. When did Master Zhong become this brave?

What they did not know was that six months had passed while Xu Ying remained sealed. During that time, whenever Zhu Chanchan had nothing better to do, she pummeled Dazhong with heavy blows, allowing him to recover from its old injuries fully.

For the first three months, Dazhong had stolen Yuanqi’s and Zhu Chanchan’s vital energy. For the next three, he had stolen Yuanqi’s, Zhu Chanchan’s, and Xu Ying’s vital energy. Although he had yet to return to its peak, he had recovered at least ninety percent of his former strength.

This was the first time he had fought with such abundant power, and he had been itching for a real battle. Let alone Xu Fu, even if a heavenly demon or heavenly god stood before it, he would have charged without hesitation.

Gong

The bell’s toll shook the air. Countless strange patterns surfaced on Dazhong’s walls, and its might surged. In an instant, the energy spilling from him made the entire great hall tremble. The pillars looked as though they were melting. The dome peeled away, and the stone slabs softened and crumbled.

This great hall was, in fact, also an extraordinary artifact. When Dazhong unleashed his power, the hall's interior expanded at a tremendous rate, trying to contain the overwhelming might before he destroyed the structure.

Forged by an Ascension Stage Qi Cultivator, the treasure hall had been refined countless times and engraved with innumerable divine ability runes. Only Dazhong surpassed it.

Yet its expanding interior could not keep pace with Dazhong's rapidly growing power. The inner walls trembled before breaking apart in massive chunks.

And this devastation came while Dazhong was still holding back.

He gathered his power across his surface, then struck first with its toll. As the mouth of the bell vibrated, layer upon layer of sound waves overlapped, crushing space into visible folds that rose like mountain ridges and surged toward Xu Fu.

The bell’s toll raced along the distorted space with astonishing speed. The sound reached him first. Dazhong followed an instant later, expanding until he dwarfed Fangzhang Immortal Mountain by a hundredfold.

Its advance carried overwhelming spatial pressure. It slammed forward broadside.

The impact would have snapped even a ten-thousand-zhang-tall mountain peak in half.

Dazhong’s mouth faced downward as he spun forward. The ground split from the impact. Fragments of the great hall were swept into the violent torrent, igniting into a river of molten rock beneath the spinning bell.

When the bell’s toll reached Xu Fu, the skin on his face rippled like waves, and the great hall behind him shattered to pieces.

Dazhong came crashing in, its power even greater than its toll, intent on smashing Xu Fu to dust.

Even if it could not tear him apart, knocking him off Fangzhang Immortal Mountain would be victory enough. The moment Xu Fu left the immortal mountain, age would catch up to him, his old injuries would flare, and they would have a chance to escape.

Master Zhong truly is a hero!

Xu Ying and Yuanqi praised him inwardly and seized the opportunity to rush out of the hall. The great hall’s doors were closed shut. Xu Ying summoned the stone ax and swung it down without a pause!

This great hall was a top-tier exotic treasure, but all its power was focused on containing Dazhong's might. It couldn't stop Xu Ying. The hall doors splintered apart in a few strikes.

Clang!

A resounding bell toll came from behind them. Dazhong had slammed into Xu Fu atop Fangzhang Immortal Mountain. The deafening peals rolled through the air. Although the shock waves were aimed at Xu Fu, the residual force alone hurled Xu Ying and Yuanqi a hundred zhang from the hall.

The doors were blown completely off their hinges. The devastating blast surged through the entrance like the muzzle flash of a colossal cannon, sweeping the sky beyond clean. There had originally been some white clouds in the sky, but now the mist and clouds had scattered, as if an invisible divine hand had wiped them away.

“Master Qi, run!” Xu Ying activated his sword qi and reminded Yuanqi.

Just then, the bell tolls ceased. Dazhong’s voice came from within the great hall, bashful and timid as he stammered, “M-Master Ying... pl-please wait...”

Xu Ying stopped and looked back. Dazhong had not flown out of the hall. A bad feeling settled over him. He immediately turned back and rushed into the hall.

Golden light gushed from the ground behind Xu Fu like a surging spring. Within it sat an immense Primordial Spirit, one hand clasped around the loop atop Dazhong's crown.

The massive bronze bell dangled from its hand like a child's toy, swaying helplessly without the slightest trace of its earlier might.

Dazhong stammered, “Master Ying, you should surrender. I think Old Ancestor Xu Fu isn’t such a bad person. I fell into his hands, and I admit my defeat wholeheartedly.”

Xu Fu smiled, still standing atop Fangzhang Immortal Mountain without having moved so much as half a step.

Xu Ying laughed, “Old Ancestor Xu Fu is determined to restore the glory of Qi Cultivators. As a Qi Cultivator myself, I naturally have an unquestionable duty to help. If Old Ancestor Xu Fu has any instructions, just say the word!”

With righteous conviction, Yuanqi declared, “Old Ancestor Xu Fu has the heart of a chivalrous hero. He does not fear the tyranny of Exorcists and seeks to restore Qi Cultivators.

“Demon Qi Cultivators naturally should lend our full support as well! Yuanqi and Xu Ying, Qi Cultivators of Mount Wuwang, are willing to contribute our humble efforts to the great cause of restoration, devoting ourselves to it until death!”

Xu Ying secretly praised him. Master Qi really is from a scholarly family. Well said.

Yuanqi could hardly hide his excitement. “Once the Qi Cultivators reclaim their former glory, it'll be the demon race's turn! Everything humanity stole from us will be returned! Ah Ying, you can be Xu Fu’s shadow without worry. Sooner or later, I’ll make Xu Fu my shadow!”

Xu Fu’s Primordial Spirit opened its hand and released Dazhong. Dazhong shrank rapidly, then hastily flew behind Xu Ying’s head with a streak of azure light. He spoke in a rush. “Ah Ying, this old brat is even fiercer than I expected! The move he used to grab me by my crown was simply stunning. I couldn’t dodge it at all!”

He was utterly terrified, frightened by the divine ability Xu Fu’s Primordial Spirit had just displayed. Otherwise, he would never have been so accommodating. Even after unleashing ninety percent of his peak strength, Dazhong had failed to make Xu Fu budge a single step.

Yet the instant Xu Fu's Primordial Spirit made its move, it seized Dazhong by the bell loop and rendered all of its power meaningless.

Xu Fu still wore a smile, calm and unruffled. “That move just now is called Hand of Heaven and Earth. Back then, you praised it to the skies as well and considered it an ultimate technique.”

Xu Ying was filled with solemn admiration. “Truly divine. With a move like this, ghosts and gods would weep, heaven and earth would change color. In five thousand years, none has ever matched its sublime brilliance.”

Yuanqi’s expression changed, and he asked in a whisper, “Ah Ying, is that move really that powerful?”

Xu Ying whispered back, “I was busy trying to run away. I didn't see it. But nobody dislikes being flattered.”

Xu Fu liked flattery, especially when it came from Xu Ying. It pleased him greatly. “The first thing I need your help with is restoring the Qi Cultivator techniques we have collected over the years.

“Qi Cultivators have endured calamity after calamity. Most of the techniques and divine abilities passed down are incomplete. Lord Xu, only you can decipher and complete them.”

Xu Ying said with emotion, “As a Qi Cultivator, restoring the techniques is my unquestionable duty.”

He was not saying this to deceive Xu Fu. It came from the heart. Qi Cultivators had suffered many hardships. First came the theft of immortal herbs during the era of the Emperor of Zhou, and then the Heaven-Man Resonance incident during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Great Han.

Their classic techniques had been lost, and what remained was no longer understood. Xu Ying genuinely wanted to help restore the techniques and divine abilities of the Qi Cultivators.

Xu Fu said, “The second matter is resurrecting the First Emperor, Emperor Ancestral Dragon, and restoring the great cause of Qi Cultivators. These two matters can be handled together. Lord Xu, make preparations over the next few days. Then we will visit the underworld to welcome the First Emperor, Emperor Ancestral Dragon!”

Xu Ying agreed and asked, “What about the third matter? Aren’t you planning to undergo tribulation and ascend? When will Old Ancestor Xu Fu undergo tribulation?”

Xu Fu shook his head. “I am different from Zhou Qiyun. He wants to ascend, and he will stop at nothing to do so. But to me, ascension is my personal affair, not the goal of my life. I won’t ask you to help me ascend. That said, I do have a third matter to attend to.”

Xu Ying was slightly startled. He had thought Xu Fu was the same as Zhou Qiyun, pursuing ascension above everything else.

“I would like to hear about it,” Xu Ying said.

Xu Fu smiled faintly. “After we've completed the first two matters, I'll tell you. Attendant!”

The adorable little girl Xiao Fengxian had transformed into walked in and bowed. “Your orders, Old Ancestor.”

Xu Fu said, “Take Young Master Xu down to rest. Remember, keep a close eye on him. Don’t let him sneak away.”

Xiao Fengxian acknowledged and bowed to Xu Ying. “Young Master Xu, this way, please.”

Xu Ying was secretly delighted. He gave Yuanqi a look, and together they followed Xiao Fengxian outside. She wore brightly colored robes and was petite, with an unusually large head. Every so often, a feather emerged from her glossy hair, shimmering with blue and purple iridescence.

Xu Ying followed her to where he would be staying, a residence in the mountains called Listening Pines Garden. It was clean and tidy. Xu Ying relaxed and smiled at Xiao Fengxian. “Feng Xian’er, thank goodness Xu Fu doesn’t know about our relationship and assigned you to watch me. There's no time to waste. Let's escape right now.”

Xiao Fengxian’s face darkened. With a swish, the Phoenix Feather Sword came to rest against Xu Ying’s neck. She said coldly, “You want to slip away?”

“Could it be that you intend to betray Old Ancestor Xu Fu?”

Xu Ying carefully pushed the sharp blade away from his neck. “Xiao Fengxian, do you remember? I saved your life. You even planned to repay me in your next life...”

Xiao Fengxian’s grip tightened, and she set the Phoenix Feather Sword against his neck again. In complete seriousness, she said, “Of course I remember. You showed me kindness, and I’ve never forgotten it. I'll repay you in my next life. But in this life, I must obey Old Ancestor Xu Fu!”

Yuanqi said angrily, “Ah Ying showed you kindness. How can you repay kindness with enmity?”

Xiao Fengxian explained, “Young Master Xu’s kindness was only toward me personally. Old Ancestor Xu Fu’s kindness, however, is toward all Qi Cultivators! Though I am not human, I still know the difference between a small debt of gratitude and a great one.”

Xu Ying tested her. “Then how about you repay my small debt first?”

Xiao Fengxian thought it over. On one side was the debt she owed Xu Ying for saving her life. On the other was the greater cause she could not forsake. Unable to abandon either, she stood there in turmoil.

As she sank into a daze over it, she put down the Phoenix Feather Sword and began taking off her clothes. She stomped and said, “Fine. Today, I’ll give myself to you to repay your kindness. After that, I’ll also uphold the greater righteousness. In this way, I can have both.”

Yuanqi, standing on the sidelines, stared with his mouth hanging open. “Am I... allowed to watch this? Should I remind her that I’m still here? Wait. If I don’t say a word, doesn’t that mean I can keep watching?”

So he wisely remained silent.

Then, a voice came from outside. “Old Ancestor Xu, Hua Xianchen requests an audience.”

Xu Ying looked toward the sound and saw a young woman in Daoist robes arrive at the Listening Pines Courtyard. Though modestly dressed, her robes could not conceal her slender waist or graceful figure, lending her an understated elegance.

The moment Hua Xianchen saw Xiao Fengxian halfway through removing her clothes, one snow-white shoulder already exposed, she immediately realized she had interrupted something. She hurriedly turned around and said with a smile, “My apologies, Old Ancestor Xu. I've come at the wrong time. I beg for your forgiveness!”

Xu Ying quickly said, “No, you came at exactly the right time!”

He hurriedly pulled Xiao Fengxian's robe back into place, covering her shoulder before turning to Hua Xianchen with a smile. “What brings you here?”

Hua Xianchen’s face flushed. Her heart pounded wildly, and she felt somewhat flustered. Two together? I’ve never done anything like that. I’d die of shame! And there’s a huge snake beside them too. What is it here for? Add to the mood?

Xu Ying saw the blush gradually spreading across her face, turning her snow-white neck crimson, and felt a flicker of surprise. What kind of method does she cultivate? Still, she's truly beautiful. Not the least bit inferior to Xiao Die.

He repeated himself, and only then did Hua Xianchen come back to her senses.

“Miss Hua, what did you need me for? Xu Fu said I was to help explain and restore cultivation methods for you. If it’s about that, feel free to ask me.”

Only then did Hua Xianchen realize she had misunderstood. She hurriedly took out a silk scripture scroll and smiled. “I came precisely for that. I have obtained a method called the Taiyi True Fire Art, which contains a way to cultivate the True Fire of Samadhi. I have never been able to decipher it.”

Xu Ying took it. “Why didn’t you ask Xu Fu? Xiao Fengxian could help too since they’ve both cultivated true fire.”

Hua Xianchen said, “I asked. Old Ancestor Xu Fu said that even he did not fully understand his true fire. He only raised its power to the limit, but it is not the pure True Fire of Samadhi. He said the true True Fire of Samadhi has already been lost.”

Xiao Fengxian said, “My true fire is innate, so I can’t teach it to her either. In fact, even in my era, the True Fire of Samadhi had already been lost.”

Xu Ying opened the Taiyi True Fire Art and skimmed through it. Surprised, he said, “It clearly hasn’t been lost. The text explains it perfectly clearly!”

Yuanqi leaned his head over and glanced at it, only to feel dizzy at once. The writing was so convoluted and obscure that even a well-read great demon like him nearly fainted from trying to decipher it.

Hua Xianchen stammered, “The book states, ‘To gather the True Fire of Samadhi, one must take from Kan to fill it. When the cauldron nears completion, success requires qi to gather at the Xun Gate.’ What does that mean?”

Xu Ying smiled and said, “That line is telling you to gather the True Fire of Samadhi to refine the Golden Core. It isn’t telling you to refine the True Fire of Samadhi.”

Hua Xianchen’s eyes went round, nearly popping out of their sockets. Xu Ying asked in confusion, “You used this method to refine true fire?”

Hua Xianchen nodded guiltily.

Xu Ying shook his head. “Then wouldn’t you grow weaker the more you cultivated? You were burning all your vital energy as if it were a Golden Core. You’ve burned your cultivation dry! Have you been feeling dizzy lately, often hearing strange phenomena and seeing hallucinations?”

Hua Xianchen nodded hurriedly.

Xu Ying said, “You’ve burned your own soul. Once it weakens, you'll be able to see ghost gods. They're waiting for you to burn it away completely. Then they'll take over your fleshly body and wear your skin as their own. They've already set their sights on you. I'll open your Third Eye so you can see them yourself.”

He extended a finger and touched Hua Xianchen between the brows, helping her gather her divine sense. Her divine sense formed a lens, and she immediately saw several blood-soaked men and women standing behind her.

He hair stood on end, and her face went pale. She hurriedly said, “Old Ancestor Xu, can I still be saved?”

Xu Ying said unhappily, “Don’t call me Old Ancestor. I’m only fourteen. You can call me Ah Ying, or Brother Ying.”

He paused, then said, “I’ll explain it once. After you cultivate true fire, your soul will strengthen, and you won’t have to worry about ghost gods coming after you.”

He began with the opening section of the Taiyi True Fire Art. “This method mainly concerns the three yang flames of the soul. The Taiyi True Fire Art explains these three yang flames in great detail. Cultivate along with me.”

He explained each step as he cultivated. By the time he finished expounding the scripture, he had already merged his soul's three yang flames into one and cultivated the True Fire of Samadhi.

With a casual point of his finger, True Fire of Samadhi flew from his fingertip and set the surface of the pond in Listening Pine Garden ablaze. Before long, the True Fire of Samadhi had burned the pond dry.

Hua Xianchen stared, dumbfounded, and stammered, “Y-you cultivated it just like that?”

Xu Ying withdrew the fire and said, “After cultivating the fire, refining the Golden Core becomes much easier. The text teaches that water and fire must be cultivated together.

“The fire refers to the True Fire of Samadhi, while the water refers to the Divine Water of Samadhi. Both must be cultivated first before refining the Golden Core. Only then can the Golden Core be refined to purity.”

Hua Xianchen’s eyes widened, her jaw hanging open. She stood speechless for a long while.

Xu Ying asked in confusion, “What’s wrong?”

She steadied herself and said guiltily, “I’ve already refined my Golden Core...”

Xu Ying frowned slightly. “Bring it out and let me see.”

Hua Xianchen hurriedly summoned her Golden Core. Xu Ying activated his Third Eye and examined it. Fiendish qi permeated the Golden Core, its impurities never fully refined away. Countless dark lines spread throughout it.

“Your Golden Core is the same as Young Master Xiang’s. It’s full of impurities and can’t withstand a single blow.”

Xu Ying took the stone ax from his waist and handed it to her. “Try activating this stone ax.”

Hua Xianchen gripped the stone ax. She found herself standing in a sea of blood where mountains of corpses floated beneath her feet. A colossal figure towered between heaven and earth, striding forward with a giant ax in hand, settling every grudge and favor at will.

Her eyes unknowingly turned blood-red, and she laughed loudly. “With this divine ax, I’m invincible! If gods stand in my way, I’ll kill gods; if immortals block me, I’ll slay immortals! Any man I want, I’ll have!”

All at once, a bell rang out and jolted her awake. Hua Xianchen’s face turned pale. She hastily dropped the stone ax and cried, “This ax was controlling me!”

Dazhong’s voice came over. “Young lady, the ax didn’t control you. It only magnified your thoughts. What you just said was what you truly felt.”

Hua Xianchen clutched her chest and said, “It was the ax controlling me. How could I possibly have such strange thoughts? Pah, pah!”