Day of Ascension

Huang Siping’s gaze was cold. His left leg was now just bones. If it took too much force, it would shatter.

Saber light burst from the hundred-refined zhanmadao in his hand as vital energy coursed it. The saber light flew like a bolt of white silk but clashed with the bronze pillar Xu Ying had swept at him fiercely.

The bronze pillar carried terrifying momentum, stirring up a fierce wind. On the other hand, Huang Siping’s saber qi was incredibly scorching. The moment it struck, it sliced straight through the bronze pillar.

His True Yang Vital Energy was even hotter than flames. Wherever the saber light sliced, the bronze glowed red-hot.

However, the pillar carried the force of an elephant god, and that terrifying power surged through the saber. Even though Xu Ying wasn’t a Demon King, his raw strength far surpassed Huang Siping’s.

Huang Siping’s hands trembled around the saber hilt. He stepped back before the impact transferred to his left leg.

Xu Ying drove the remaining half of the pillar straight toward Him. Huang Siping took another step back and slashed down at the bronze pillar. His True Yang Vital Energy burned even hotter. The blade melted through the bronze, turning it into streams of molten metal that dripped to the ground.

His strike split the remaining pillar in half once more.

But at the same moment, Xu Ying spun the pillar, wrenching Huang Siping’s arms and dragging the hundred-refined zhanmadao off balance.

Huang Siping let out a furious roar. He swayed and revealed his true form—a yellow wolf with a human body and a wolf’s head. He stood over a zhang tall and was covered in yellow fur that was like golden needles. He looked overwhelmingly imposing with gleaming fangs and sharp claws,

His roar sounded like howling winds. His True Yang Vital Energy increased greatly as he drew his zhanmadao. However, closing the distance in an instant, Xu Ying slammed his palm against the blade with the force of an elephant god swinging its trunk.

The hundred-refined zhanmadao bent from the strike; simultaneously, the True Yang Vital Energy poured into Xu Ying’s palm, surged up his arm, and invaded him.

Huang Siping was the Demon King of Rocky Mountain. His vital energy cultivation was incomparably robust, and his True Yang Vital Energy was so hot that it could easily melt bronze, let alone mere mortal flesh.

However, Xu Ying’s vital energy immediately resisted the invading energy.

In that brief clash between saber and palm, Huang Siping sensed that although Xu Ying had less vital energy than Him, it was extremely pure. Xu Ying instantly intercepted the invading True Yang Vital Energy at his elbow and forced it back before it could injure him.

Huang Siping’s arms were sore and numb from the impact. His hundred-refined zhanmadao slipped from his grasp.

However, he wasn’t mad and thought, To possess such cultivation at such a young age... no wonder he could kill a grassroots god! As expected of a rare demon variant!

Xu Ying’s cultivation technique was demonic, and so was his martial art. Although he looked human, Huang Siping wondered if he really was human. Never before had he seen someone so unruly.

He slashed out mercilessly with his claws. Empowered by his True Yang Vital Energy, his sharp claws were no less destructive than the hundred-refined zhanmadao!

Xu Ying’s fist arrived before Him. The elephant-headed fiend behind Xu Ying followed his movement exactly and punched with its full might, kicking up a fierce wind.

Both were struck at the same time.

Xu Ying spewed blood and tumbled backward, crashing into the main hall. Blazing flames erupted from him, setting the hall on fire.

The explosive force landed on Huang Siping’s chest. His clothing tore across the back, and his huge figure flew out. When he landed, a loud snap rang. The bones in his left leg had all broken.

Huang Siping stumbled several steps back and finally lost his balance, rolling on the ground. He transformed into a large yellow wolf with only three legs and immediately fled into the mountain forest.

His voice rang from afar. “Xu Ying, we are both demons. On account of your demonic nature still being untamed, I’ll spare your life!”

Earlier, when his leg bones were intact, he could still fight Xu Ying. Now that he had completely lost a limb, he couldn’t bring out more than thirty percent of his strength. So, he had no choice but to flee.

In the main hall, Xu Ying leaped up to his feet and pressed both palms against the floor, extinguishing the flames inside.

A hot sensation filled his throat, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. When it landed on the floor, it turned into blazing flames. This was the damage caused by Huang Siping’s True Yang Vital Energy invading his heart and lungs.

That vital energy was so scorching that it could melt even iron. He would’ve burned alive had his vital energy not been robust enough to withstand it.

Xu Ying groaned. He summoned his vital energy to suppress the True Yang Vital Energy with all his strength. However, the wound on his chest burst open, exposing his ribs.

If he hadn’t been able to materialize the elephant god fiend and resisted part of Huang Siping’s strength, Huang Siping’s claw swipe would have broken his ribs!

Xu Ying barely suppressed his injuries. The sliver of True Yang Vital Energy gnawed at his chest, charring the wound, until he finally managed to purge the burning intrusion.

He breathed in and out, channeling the Grand-Unity Guiding Method.

Suddenly, inside the courtyard, Wei Chu’s leg moved. The corner of Xu Ying’s eye twitched. He picked up the bent zhanmadao and hurled it with a whoosh.

Wei Chu rolled aside, dodging the zhanmadao. He quickly got up to his feet and laughed. “The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Godslayer Xu Ying, you do possess the strength to kill gods, but you and the rocky mountain wolf injured each other. Can you still handle me?”

New flesh was slowly forming on his fleshless right leg.

Xu Ying smiled. “Lord Wei, you’re an Exorcist with an unlocked Mud-Pill Secret Trove, possessing extraordinary power. Yet, you played dead on the ground. Logically speaking, your exorcism techniques are the perfect counter to demonic techniques, so you could’ve easily fought one against two. But you waited for us to wear each other down. Why? Because your Mud-Pill Secret Trove can’t fully heal your injuries.”

Wei Chu’s expression sank. He had played dead because his injuries were indeed too severe.

He had been the closest when the roar erupted from the well and had suffered the heaviest blow. More importantly, he was an Exorcist, so his physical cultivation was far inferior to Xu Ying, Huang Siping, or even Yuanqi!

Although the Mud-Pill Secret Trove could grant him an undying body, it was not absolute immortality!

He couldn’t fully recover from his internal injuries in a short time.

Wei Chu strode toward Xu Ying and sneered coldly. “Earlier, I was indeed no match for you two, but now... I can kill you easily!”

Xu Ying stood there and said, “Lord Wei, you seem to have forgotten about my brother Yuanqi. He’s hiding on the roof of the main hall right now. The moment you attack, he’ll launch a fatal strike on you.”

Wei Chu’s expression immediately froze as he recalled Ding Quan’s neck wound.

Xu Ying’s expression turned solemn. “You must be familiar with Judicial Assistant Ding Quan, right? My good brother’s poison is the second most potent in the world, and he bit Lord Ding. Even if you keep him alive, he’ll eventually succumb to it! Not even the Mud-Pill Secret Trove can save him!”

Suddenly, Ding Quan’s laughter came from outside the temple. “Didn’t that snake demon claim that his venom is the fifth most potent in the world? Why did it become the second most potent when it came out of the mouth of an unruly peasant like you?”

Xu Ying’s expression sank slightly when he saw Ding Quan entering the temple. His neck was black, and his complexion pale. Evidently, the snake venom was still plaguing him.

Wei Chu burst out laughing. He mocked, “Unruly peasant, any more hollow threats left?

Ding Quan came to Wei Chu’s side, cupped his hands, bowed so deeply he nearly touched the ground, and said, “Thank you, Brother Wei, for helping me purge the venom. If not for you, I would have already become a ghost of the underworld.”

Wei Chu waved his hand and smiled. “We’re colleagues. Saving you was no trouble. Why mention it?”

Ding Quan said solemnly, “It may have been no trouble for Brother Wei, but for me, it was the grace of saving my life. I have studied the sages’ classics since I was young and understand the meaning of honor and shame. I will never forget your grace!”

Xu Ying quickly calmed himself. His expression returned to normal, and he recited in a low voice, “The heavenly soul births the white tiger, the earthly spirit produces the azure dragon. Transport the treasure to where the Mud Pill lies, and move its essence into the upper palace. One who understands this method will have the appearance of a child for ten thousand years.”

Wei Chu and Ding Quan’s expressions changed simultaneously.

Ding Quan trembled.

Wei Chu stepped forward and shouted, “What did you say? How did you obtain the Mud Pill Radiant Vestige Cultivation Method? That is clearly the Zhou clan’s secre—”

Suddenly, countless roots beneath his feet squirmed like tiny snakes and burrowed into his legs.

Flesh was still growing on his right leg, giving these roots an opening. In the blink of an eye, countless roots plunged into his blood vessels and invaded his heart!

Wei Chu froze and turned to look at the person beside him in disbelief.

Ding Quan looked at him, tears welling up in his eyes. Choking, he said, “Brother Wei, he forced me. Don’t blame me! The second he recited the Mud Pill Radiant Vestige Cultivation Method, I had no choice but to kill you. I don’t want the Zhao clan to annihilate my clan. I still have a wife and a concubine to take care of. I’m a pitiful man, too. You know that.”

Wei Chu’s face flushed red. Blood gushed out from his mouth as he uttered one last sentence with difficulty, “I saved you...”

Tears fell. Ding Quan cried out loud, “I know! I’ll make sure to live well and not let down your kindness in saving my life. So, leave in peace. Once you’re dead, no one will know my secret!”

Wei Chu and his robes exploded. Fresh blood spattered everywhere.

His flesh and blood turned into countless roots. Even his brain was just countless roots intertwined together!

“The Zhou clan mustn’t find out that I made a copy of the Mud Pill Radiant Vestige Cultivation Method! Even more so, I can’t let them find out that I lost it!”

Ding Quan’s expression gradually turned fierce. He said to the man-shaped mass of roots, “If you have to blame someone, blame Xu Ying! Blame that unruly peasant for his big mouth! He killed you, not me! Brother Wei, I’ll send that unruly peasant to you right away to avenge you!”

He placed his palm on the roots growing from Wei Chu. His exorcism technique erupted, and the roots grew rapidly, soon forming a huge willow tree.

The willow tree took root. A face formed on the trunk, near its root, resembling Wei Chu and still carrying a look of shock.

The crown of the willow tree grew increasingly larger, gradually shrouding the abandoned temple. Thousands of branches grew, hanging down one by one, swaying to the wind.

Standing under the willow tree, Ding Quan looked up at Xu Ying with a fierce gaze. “Unruly peasant Xu Ying, you killed my savior. Today, I will avenge Lord Wei!”

Xu Ying didn’t say a word. A chuckle rang out from above the main hall. Yuanqi had awoken and peeked his head out from the eaves. “You really are something. You killed your savior and blamed it on others. You even bragged about studying some classics, but I think everything you learned went into a dog’s brain!”

Ding Quan’s expression sank. The willow branches swept toward Yuanqi with a swish as he sneered coldly. “Vile snake, what do you know? Brother Wei is my savior. Xu Ying killed him, and you are his accomplice! I’m killing you scums to avenge him. My righteousness pierces the clouds!”

Yuanqi darted about, using his three-zhang-long frame as hands and feet, twisting and bending to execute the Elephant-Bull Demon Fist. His vital energy surged, repelling the approaching willow branches.

He slithered forth, unleashing various fist techniques. Elephant trumpets rang within him as he sneered coldly. “Hey, Ding guy, people call me a venomous snake, a demon, but I think you’re the real snake here! You don’t have a hint of human decency in you!”

Ding Quan grew furious and struck with the intent to kill. Yuanqi suffered blow after blow and was hanging by a thread.

Xu Ying walked out of the main hall and said seriously, “Ding Quan, I studied the exorcism art and techniques within the Mud Pill Radiant Vestige Cultivation Method earlier. I discovered that there are several flaws in the techniques.”

Summoning his remaining vital energy, he barely materialized an elephant god fiend behind him. “Your exorcism techniques and undying method are actually not that difficult to break. I can easily kill you once I find the right spots.”

Ding Quan was slightly shaken inside. He sneered coldly. “You’re bluffing! I’ve been practicing the Mud Pill Radiant Vestige Cultivation Method for eight years. You stole it only half a day ago. How could you see through its flaws?”

Xu Ying limped toward him. Behind him, the elephant god fiend mirrored every step. He smiled. “That cultivation technique does have its strengths, but it’s only a rudimentary one in the end. I have studied over fifty demonic cultivation techniques, and Mud Pill Radiant Vestige is the crudest of them. Clearly, the Zhou clan never taught you any truly profound exorcism techniques.”

Ding Quan laughed out loud. “The highest realm of demonic cultivation is merely Qi Gathering. They are not even worthy of carrying the shoes of exorcism techniques, yet you have the gall to call my exorcism techniques crude?”

With a thought, countless willow branches lashed out. They moved like venomous snakes and giant pythons, coiling in from every direction.

Meanwhile, countless other willow branches darted back and forth to deal with Yuanqi.

This was the ultimate exorcism technique recorded in the Mud Pill Radiant Vestige Cultivation Method—the Exorcist Willow Brushing Sword Technique.

Willow branches became swords. Thousands of them swept across the battlefield, striking enemies from all directions at once. Against only a few opponents, the technique was overwhelming.

Xu Ying advanced anyway. His limping figure moved in perfect sync with the elephant god fiend behind him. He would suddenly dart or sidestep, always narrowly dodging the attacks from the Exorcist Willow Brushing Sword Technique. He was gradually closing the distance between them.

Ding Quan panicked inside. Did he really see through the flaws in my exorcism technique? No, no, I’ve practiced it for eight years. How could I know less about it than him? He’s just bluffing!

He immediately changed to a different move. Countless willow roots rose from the ground beneath his feet. They wrapped around his limbs like muscles and tendons, reinforcing his strength.

Xu Ying threw a punch his way. Ding Quan hurriedly raised his hand to block it, thinking, This move again! I’ve seen it befor—

However, Xu Ying’s oncoming fist suddenly spread open. His fingers flickered like blades, striking Ding Quan’s arm where the roots had wrapped around it.

With every strike from the fingers, he felt a strange numbness, as if his muscles and tendons had been disconnected from his brain, losing all sensation!

Xu Ying closed in, moving around him at close range. His fingers blurred, striking all over Ding Quan.

The willow roots on Ding Quan fell limp to the ground like dead snakes. The willow branches attacking Yuanqi also lost control, falling lifelessly aside.

Ding Quan stood frozen in place; he had lost all sensation in his limbs. Immense fear rose within him: the fear of death.

“Ding Quan, I told you that killing you would be easy. See? I wasn’t bluffing you.”

He raised a hand and flicked a finger against the back of Ding Quan’s head.

No wound appeared on Ding Quan’s head, but his forehead exploded. He swayed and collapsed to the ground.

“Although the Mud Pill Radiant Vestige Cultivation Method didn’t mention the exact location of the Mud-Pill Secret Trove, judging by its circulation route, it should be somewhere in the brain.”

Xu Ying turned around and said toward Ding Quan’s corpse, “I understood the circulation path of your exorcism art and know of your exorcism techniques. So, killing you is simple. You shouldn’t have killed Wei Chu. I’ve never seen his cultivation technique, so I couldn’t have broken it quickly.”

Yuanqi slithered down the roof and hurriedly said, “Why are you explaining to a corpse? It’s dawn. Let’s leave quickly, or we’ll be trapped on the mountain!”

Limping, Xu Ying followed him and said, “I’m worried that he died without understanding why. The villagers always said that people who die without knowing why became malevolent ghosts.”

“You believe that? It’s just to scare kids!”

Just as they stepped out of the temple, they saw Huang Siping standing not far away.

Xu Ying and Yuanqi felt a chill in their hearts.

Both of them were injured. If Huang Siping were to hold them here, they would never escape!

But Huang Siping acted as though he had not even noticed them. He muttered, “Don’t go northwest after descending the mountain. I received news yesterday that many mountain gods and grassroots gods are waiting there to trap you. Go southwest instead. Follow the path along Anzi Ridge and Mount Jian. The gods there have gone northwest.”

He transformed into a three-legged demon wolf and staggered down the mountain. “When you reach Mount Jian, you’d best wash yourself. You’re covered in blood and carry a strong scent. The demon gods can track you with it.”

Xu Ying called out, “Rocky Mountain God, why are you letting us go?”

Huang Siping halted. He glanced back at Xu Ying, thought for a moment, and said, “Probably because your demonic nature is unruly, yet your humanity remains. I was the same in the past. That only changed after I joined the Underworld Court and became the Rocky Mountain God.”

Limping down the mountain, he continued, “If you’re human, then you’re an anomaly among humans. If you’re a demon, then you’re something rare even among demons. I’m looking forward to seeing what you will become in the future.”

Xu Ying chuckled. “I’m definitely a human, not a demon!”

The wolf demon slipped into the mountain forest and said in a faint voice, “Don’t be so sure. Your wildness is stronger than mine. Perhaps you’ll scare yourself when you turn into your true form one day.”