Day of Ascension

Xu Ying was startled and whispered, “Are all these grand generals, chancellors, and ministers Exorcist Immortals?”

Yuanqi shook his head. “I don’t know. The book doesn’t mention it. I can’t speak for the others, but this gray-robed elder before us is an Exorcist Immortal who has cultivated nine grotto heavens! He isn’t listed among the Pei clan’s high officials in the books. I think the clan likely has even more Exorcist Immortals.”

Xu Ying was stunned. This noble clan had produced at least eighty-seven Exorcist Immortals over two thousand years. Were they so easy to nurture? Or were there some other reasons?

“Does the Pei clan belong to the category of chives[1]”

Thinking of the twilight years of Exorcist Immortals, an absurd thought came to Xu Ying’s mind. He whispered, “How do you write the character for the surname Pei?”

Yuanqi wrote the character with the tip of his tail. Upon taking a look, he came to a realization and said, “It’s the character for chives[2] on top. No wonder they have so many Exorcist Immortals.”

Yuanqi said, “As soon as they arrived on the mountain, they came looking for trouble and acted arrogantly. They claimed this place wasn’t ownerless, that it had originally belonged to the Pei clan, and even produced a land deed.

“The seal was still wet. Then they tried to drive us away. Niu Qian couldn’t stand it, so he wounded about a dozen of their men. He was injured too, so I demanded they set the terms for a fair showdown.”

Xu Ying cast a sidelong glance at Pei Jingting. “I was their target from the start. Everything else was just an excuse.”

Seeing them whispering among themselves, the gray-robed elder cleared his throat and said, “Demon King Xu, would you be willing to accept our clan’s invitation to the capital?”

Xu Ying agreed readily, saying, “I agree. I’m acquainted with the Yuan and the Guo clans and was just planning to visit them in the capital.”

Pei Jingting was slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected Xu Ying to agree so readily. He said with a faint smile, “Our clan wishes to invite you to the capital privately. The other noble clans will not be involved.”

Xu Ying still agreed promptly. He added pointedly, "As long as the Pei clan can keep the other noble clans at bay on your own, I naturally have no objections. I'm only concerned your clan won't be able to."

Pei Jingting felt a chill in his heart. As he considered the implication behind Xu Ying’s words, realization struck him.

The ancestors of all major noble clans were there on Mount Wu Wang that day, watching Old Ancestor Zhou as he faced his tribulation. They must have all recognized this snake-raising youth. Yet none of those old foxes had made a move over the past dozen days. That made no sense.

Fine beads of cold sweat broke out on his forehead. The patriarch didn’t come in person this time and sent me instead because this trip is truly dangerous. He had to stay hidden to ensure everything went smoothly. Yet I’ve clearly been set up. No wonder he’s the patriarch while I’m just an errand boy.

Yuanqi whispered, “Ah Ying, are we really going to let them force us to the capital?”

Xu Ying smiled. “An Exorcist Immortal came in person to extend an invitation to us, and they brought so many experts. We have no choice but to go. Besides, it’s still too early to tell who’s coercing whom.”

He glanced at the Pei clan’s Exorcists and sighed with emotion. “I wonder how many of them can return to the capital alive?”

Deeply worried inside, Yuanqi asked Dazhong, “Master Zhong, can you eliminate an Exorcist Immortal?”

Dazhong replied, “Recently I’ve been siphon—Ahem, bitterly cultivating, and my injuries have healed about forty to fifty percent. I can easily kill one, but there are too many of them. I can’t handle it.”

“Too many of them?”

Yuanqi looked around in confusion. He didn’t see any other Exorcist Immortals aside from Pei Jingting. Where are those Exorcist Immortals Master Zhong is talking about?

Xu Ying instructed the Niu brothers, “I’ll be away in the capital for some time. Look after the grotto residence, and remember to practice diligently every morning. Don’t get lazy while Uncle-Master Yuan and I are away. I’ll check your progress when I return.”

The two oxen hurriedly stood up on their hind legs, crossed their hooves over their chest, and bowed.

“We will follow your teachings, Master.”

Xu Ying simply packed up a few sun-dried clothes and stuffed them into Yuanqi’s mouth, then retrieved the massive stone ax leaning in the corner and told Yuanqi to open his mouth.

Yuanqi was startled. “It’s so big, how is it going to fit? It’ll hurt me!”

The stone ax’s blade alone was taller than Xu Ying, and its handle was even longer. It truly seemed impossible to fit it into Yuanqi’s mouth.

Xu Ying said, “We might run into Yuan Tiangang’s family on our trip to the capital, and we’ll have to return the sword case. Besides, we might have to kill people there. How could we travel without a proper weapon?”

Yuanqi reluctantly opened his mouth as wide as he could. Hoisting the stone ax, Xu Ying entered Yuanqi’s stomach, set it down, and walked out.

After finishing his preparations, Xu Ying smiled at Pei Jingting. “After you, Elder Pei.”

Pei Jingting replied politely, “This way, please, Demon King Xu. I have prepared a treasure carriage at the foot of the mountain.”

Xu Ying followed him. A large bell flew from behind and entered the back of his head. Yuanqi also slithered forward, shrinking smaller and smaller before leaping onto his shoulder. He hooked his tail around Xu Ying’s collar, let his head hang, and gazed gloomily around.

The Pei clan’s casualties had risen to forty or fifty, and their cries echoed through the area.

Xu Ying said to Pei Jingting, “Elder Pei, next time, you can just invite me directly. Don’t bother with land deeds or showdowns, alright? Even country bumpkins would laugh at that, and unrefined folks like us don’t know how to hold back. We might accidentally kill a few more of your men and offend you.”

Pei Jingting nodded in agreement. He then beckoned someone over. “Bring the slave here to heal their injuries.”

A moment later, a person was brought here. Xu Ying looked at the slave. He had a swollen belly, wore a dog collar, and sharp hooks embedded in his shoulder blades. Covered in blood, he crawled on all fours like a dog, panting heavily.

A member of the Pei clan kicked the slave and shouted, “Quickly get up and tend to your masters’ injuries!”

That slave voiced his compliance and hobbled over to treat the wounded.

Xu Ying’s eyes flickered. “You there. Raise your head.”

The Pei clan member kicked that slave again and barked, “Master Xu told you to lift your head!”

The slave raised his head, averting his gaze, not daring to meet Xu Ying’s eyes.

Yuanqi exclaimed in shock, “Ah Ying, it’s the prefect of Yongzhou, Zhou Heng!”

Xu Ying didn’t say a word. The slave was indeed Zhou Heng. Xu Ying knew him well. Zhou Heng had governed Yongzhou for many years with overbearing arrogance, and the crimes he had committed were too numerous to count.

Under his rule, the people of Yongzhou had lived in misery. Xu Ying had seen it all. He had also been the one responsible for delivering every letter between Zhou Qiyun and Xu Ying.

Now that Zhou Heng had been reduced to a slave, Xu Ying was genuinely shocked.

Zhou Heng looked as though he wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. “Master Xu, the monkeys scatter when the tree falls.”

Xu Ying waved his hand, and the Pei clan member led Zhou Heng away.

Pei Jingting said, “The Zhou clan is a young noble clan, after all. They never knew restraint and always acted ruthlessly, relying on their unrivaled ancestor. They oppressed the populace and never maintained good relations with other noble clans.

“Now that the white-browed old ancestor is dead, their Zhou clan lacks the virtue to match their status. They still had high positions and possess immense wealth, so it’s only natural that disaster has befallen them.”

Walking beside him, Xu Ying asked, “The Pei clan already knows that Zhou Qiyun is dead?”

Pei Jingting laughed. “Who doesn’t? The Zhou clan members have scattered like locusts. Capture a few of them for questioning, and you’ll learn everything.”

He sighed emotionally. “Zhou Qiyun failed his tribulation and left behind a streak of rosy light, making Mount Jiuyi a place of ascension. The various major noble clans have fought tooth and nail over it. Who knows how many people have died because of it?”

Over the past few days, Xu Ying had been quietly cultivating in Mount Wu Wang’s ascension site, so he had no idea so much had happened. “Did Mount Jiuyi’s place of ascension fall into the Pei clan’s hands?”

Pei Jingting sighed. “My clan would like to claim it as well, but the Divine Land is full of hidden experts. Every major noble clan has old fossils guarding it. No single clan can monopolize the site. Fortunately, our clan excels at smoothing things over.”

When they arrived at the foot of the mountain, Xu Ying saw a treasure carriage parked there, drawn by two white rhinos. Their demonic qi was rather heavy, but even heavier was the incense qi.

White rhinos naturally have long lifespans. After becoming demons, they could live for one to two thousand years. If they received incense offerings and became a demon god during this time, they could forge a golden body and gain immense strength.

Pei Jingting introduced, “My honored ancestor accepted these two white rhinos. They are already a thousand eight hundred years old. They are never dispatched except to welcome distinguished guests.”

Xu Ying followed him onto the treasure carriage. He watched as clouds formed beneath the white rhinos’ hooves, rising higher with every step as they pulled the carriage, soaring into the clouds and going northeast.

Pei Jingting said with a faint smile, “When the struggle over Mount Jiuyi’s ascension site peaked, our clan stepped in as mediators. We divided the benefits fairly among everyone.

“We determined the schedule and allotted the number of descendants each clan could send to use the place of ascension. Our clan never joined the fighting, lost no one, yet still received a share of the benefits. Such is the wisdom of an ancient noble clan.”

The interior of the white rhino treasure carriage was vast, like a palace. Everyone took their seats according to their status. Unfamiliar with these customs, Xu Ying quietly relied on Yuanqi's whispered guidance. Only then did he avoid taking the wrong seat.

The sound of string and woodwind instruments rang out. Seven graceful and enchanting women stepped out from the rear hall with small, rapid strides. With a sweep of their green sleeves, they swept past Xu Ying, swaying their waists as they danced elegantly before him.

Xu Ying was at a loss, but he quickly composed himself. City girls are really beautiful. They smell good, too. Their arms are so fair... and the rest of them as well. They must be too poor to afford proper clothes. When they dance, they leave almost nothing to the imagination.

He asked, “What is this song?”

Aware that Xu Ying had little knowledge of such matters, Pei Jingting explained, “This song is called the serenade of peaceful joy. We’re heading to the capital, also known as the Divine Capital.

“Back then, Emperor Zetian Dasheng[3] usurped the throne and planned to establish a divine nation, unifying imperial and divine authorities. She renamed the capital the Divine Capital, but she never realized that ambition.

“After Emperor Zhidao Dasheng ascended the throne, he launched an expedition to the Underworld Court and fulfilled the late Emperor Zetian Dasheng’s dying wish. At that time, every nation came to pay tribute. The Divine Capital rivaled the Celestial Court. You can’t imagine how lively it was!”

Behind Xu Ying was a carriage window. Looking out, he saw many members of the Pei clan soaring through the air, riding demon gods, guarding the white rhino treasure carriage.

Mount Wu Wang and Mount Jiuyi were on opposite ends of the new lands, facing each other from a great distance. Massive fissures churned along the border, and the underworld’s invasion had yet to stop.

Even more land continued to emerge from the deep abyss.

Xu Ying had remained within the new lands all this time, unable to leave. Yongzhou’s new lands were the epicenter of this world-shaking upheaval, where countless events had unfolded.

Now that he looked down from high above, he finally realized how completely the world had changed.

At some point, new lands began to emerge throughout the Divine Land, making the realm even larger and far more dangerous.

Looking down from above, Xu Ying surveyed the landscape. The Divine Land had changed drastically. The divine dynasty founded by Emperors Wenwu Dasheng, Zetian Dasheng, and Zhidao Dasheng had been torn apart by the new lands, leaving its territories scattered across the realm.

The ancient divine dynasty was hanging by a thread.

Xu Ying turned his head back. Inside the treasure carriage, songs and dances continued in peaceful harmony.

Crisis lurked in the shadows amid this golden age. Everyone saw it but pretended otherwise, continuing to lose themselves in music and dance.

Everyone believed that even if the sky collapsed, it would never fall on them.

Yuanqi peeked his head out from Xu Ying’s collar. “Elder Pei, your clan has so many Exorcist Immortals. Did they all meet misfortune in their later years?”

Pei Jingting’s expression instantly fell. He called someone over. “Go check whether the water for brewing tea has boiled yet.”

That person replied, “Not yet.”

“If the water hasn’t boiled, then don’t bring it up.”

Yuanqi understood the implication and asked no further questions.

Even though the two white rhinos had a thousand eight hundred years of cultivation under their belt, flying for half a day still exhausted them. The Pei clan’s other mounts also struggled to keep up, so the group descended to rest.

A town lay nestled among the mountains, and people still lived there. They landed inside the town, drawing curious glances from the locals.

Pei Jingting glanced around and felt a chill in his heart. He noticed that some of the townsfolk had incredibly long breaths. While ordinary people took ten breaths, they took only one.

His eyes flickered as he whispered, “We’ve been targeted. Pei Yu, bring some clansmen with you and offer incense to the two white rhinos so They can recover Their incense qi sooner. Also, tell everyone not to wander around town or eat anything from outside.”

Pei Yu’s heart skipped a beat, realizing the gravity of the situation. He hurried off, but many clansmen had already taken advantage of the break to head into town in search of entertainment.

Pei Jingting acted with extreme caution. He ordered their chef not to use any ingredients from the town when cooking. By mealtime, more than thirty people had not returned. A Great Exorcist of the clan went to look for them, but he didn’t return either.

After finishing the meal, the group planned to wait a little longer, but Pei Jingting shook his head.

“We’re not waiting any longer. Set off immediately!”

Everyone quickly mounted up. The two white rhinos rose into the sky on auspicious clouds, pulling the treasure carriage behind them.

As they traveled farther from the town, everyone's mood grew heavy. Dozens of people had vanished in that small town without a trace. They found neither the living nor the dead.

Pei Jingting stepped out of the treasure carriage and looked down. That small town had already shrunk to a speck in the distance.

The elder smiled coldly and pressed his palm downward. The small town suddenly collapsed, sinking more than ten zhang into the ground!

A massive palm print engulfed the town and everything within several li.

Pei Jingting said calmly, “Though I couldn’t take action in the town, I can avenge you.”

At that moment, a gentle breeze drifted past. The racing white rhinos' heads slid silently from their necks.

In the breeze, the Pei clan’s experts were silently torn into pieces one after another. Pei Jingting turned his head and saw a cold glint flashing in the breeze. In mere moments, more than half of the Pei clan experts accompanying him were either dead or injured!

The two white rhinos that had served the Pei clan for a thousand eight hundred years were also dismembered in the breeze!

Even the white rhino treasure carriage was torn apart!

Inside the carriage, Xu Ying was admiring the seven graceful women's performances when they were suddenly decapitated. The entire palace-like structure within the carriage crumbled in the breeze!

When the terrifying wind reached Xu Ying, it abruptly split apart and swept past him on both sides. A single strand of his hair brushed against the breeze and snapped.

Only then did Xu Ying realize that he was sitting in midair. Around him, the Pei clan's Exorcists, Great Exorcists, and demon gods were all being torn apart by the wind.

Yuanqi cried out in terror, “Ah Ying!”

Calm and composed, Xu Ying said, “No need to panic. The Pei clan will take care of it. This person’s skills are lacking. He damaged a single strand of my hair.”

Pei Jingting threw himself in front of the surviving clansmen, fury blazing across his face. He pushed his cultivation to its limit. A glaze-like realm manifested behind him, with nine grotto heavens immersed within it.

His berserk primordial qi surged forth, his Radiant Vestige land of sublimation revealed traces of immortality. It was his soul, standing in the land of sublimation, ethereal as an immortal.

“Boundless Sea!” Pei Jingting roared furiously as he pushed his palms forward to meet the breeze. Thunder rumbled in the sky, and a vast expanse of sea materialized, surging for ten thousand li. Driven by his palm force, it surged forward with overwhelming might.

The sea was dark and gloomy, with thunder and lightning flashing across its surface. It carried an overwhelming weight as it shattered the breeze and reached a towering mountain dozens of li away in an instant.

The mountain peak exploded with a thunderous roar. Fissures appeared across it, yet the divine ability known as Boundless Sea seemed to strike an invisible barrier. The surging seawater burst apart, crashing in every direction with deafening force.

Pei Jingting’s grayish-white hair fluttered in the wind as he let out another furious roar. His primordial qi surged once more, and his palm force skyrocketed.

The mountain peak snapped and fell. The seawater swept over it with overwhelming force. At the same time, a voice drifted away into the distance amid laughter. “Second Elder Pei, you're taking a joke this seriously? How petty. You can't even take a joke...”

Pei Jingtong’s face turned ashen. He dispelled his divine ability, and the surging sea vanished without a trace.

He turned his head to look behind him. Of the nearly three hundred descendants and disciples he had brought from the Pei clan, only two remained alive, including himself.

That other surviving clan member was none other than the Seventh Young Master, Pei Ye, whom Yuanqi had severely wounded. He went pale with fear and was in a daze.

Pei Jingting shifted his gaze toward Xu Ying, only to see him hovering in midair, sword qi swirling around him, his expression unchanged.

He suppressed his rage and calmed his surging vital energy, then asked in a deep voice, “Demon King Xu, aren’t you afraid?”

Xu Ying shook his head. “I’ve said this before: it's still hard to say who's coercing whom. Have you forgotten, Elder Pei?”

The corner of Pei Jingting’s eye twitched. With a light stamp of his feet, a vast river spanned across the sky. His expression returned to normal. “This way, please, Demon King Xu. I’m afraid you’ll have to get your shoes wet this time[4].”

Xu Ying smiled faintly. “It doesn’t matter even if my whole body gets wet.”

He stepped onto the river's surface and dispersed his sword qi. The heavenly river carried him forward atop its waves at astonishing speed.

Pei Jingting took the seventh young master, Pei Ye, with him, using his long river divine ability to escort Xu Ying. He’s Demon King Xu, well-versed in the demonic arts of Qi Cultivators. No one would lay a hand on him, but they would surely target us...

Just as he thought of this, Pei Ye suddenly collapsed stiffly with a sharp arrow lodged in his back, meeting a tragic end.

Someone had killed him without a sound!

The corner of Pei Jingting’s eye twitched violently. He forcibly suppressed his rage and continued on his way.

1. He is wondering if the Pei family is like fast-growing weeds because they constantly produce new Exorcist Immortals. ☜

2. For the curious souls, the characters for chives are “韭菜”, and the character for the surname Pei is “裴”. ☜

3. Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history. ☜

4. A double entendre here, meaning he’s going to have to get involved in the situation. ☜