Day of Ascension

Xu Ying’s scalp went numb. Seventeen Exorcist Immortals lived in seclusion in their Radiant Vestige’s land of sublimation, wishing to live as immortals in the mortal realm, yet not a single one survived!

In that case, was there any meaning or value in an Exorcist’s path of cultivation?

“I checked their corpses. They all experienced great horror before their deaths. Just like this ghost Exorcist Immortal, only a sack of skin was left.”

Zhou Qiyun examined the white-clothed Exorcist Immortal’s skin, scrutinizing every detail.

“The corpses of some of them were relatively intact, with only a few parts missing. Exorcist Immortals who cultivated through their Mud-Pill Secret Troves, for example, were missing their brain’s Mud-Pill Palace.

“Those who cultivated through their Crimson-Palace Secret Trove had their hearts dug out. Others had their feet severed, or their heads removed, and so on.”

Xu Ying and Yuanqi shuddered involuntarily.

According to their deductions, the killers of these Exorcist Immortals had to be the ones who had passed down the cultivation techniques: their master!

However, Zhou Qiyun’s description painted a different picture. The Exorcist Immortals sounded less like disciples and more like livestock raised for slaughter. The gourmets selected only the most desirable cuts. Some found the Mud Pill delicious, while others favored the heart and consumed only those portions.

Yuanqi couldn’t help but say, “I’ve read that some people ascend like cicadas shedding their shells. The flesh is only a shell, a worldly vessel that holds us back. Only by casting it off can one ascend. Could these Exorcist Immortals, who left behind only skin, have already ascended?”

Surprised, Zhou Qiyun said, “You’re quite well-read.”

Yuanqi raised his head proudly but humbly replied, “Our Niu family is a scholarly lineage with a vast collection of books. I’ve read quite a few of them in my spare time.”

The pride quickly faded. His home was gone, and the floodwater had likely drowned those books. The Niu family’s legacy had vanished with them, filling him with sorrow.

Zhou Qiyun furrowed his brow upon hearing the words “Niu family.” He had no idea why the family bore that surname. He remained unaware that it all stemmed from the Elephant-Bull Demon Fist’s scroll he had left behind.

“I’m also aware of that theory. There’s another known as ascension by feathering. It claims that people emerge like butterflies from a cocoon, shedding their old shells and transforming into something beyond our comprehension,” Zhou Qiyun said, “But I’ve examined the skin of these so-called ascenders. They were devoured, not ascended.”

Yuanqi chimed in, “There’s another method of ascension known as ascension by tribulation fire. When an Exorcist Immortal passes away in meditation, tribulation fires erupt from them, burning their physical body into ash, while their true soul ascends to the immortal realm.”

Zhou Qiyun couldn’t help but take another glance at him. He praised, “You’re really well-read. Have you heard of ascension by weapon liberation?”

Yuanqi nodded. “I have. Legend has it that when an Exorcist Immortal dies or is killed, they are buried in a coffin. Yet, when the coffin is opened, the corpse will be gone. Only their clothes, nails, and other personal items remain. According to rumors, this is either ascension by weapon liberation or corpse liberation. They leave behind their personal items only as a veil to not shock the world.”

Unable to get a word in, Xu Ying could only listen to their discussion. It seems that studying does have some use. I could never hold a conversation about these things.

Zhou Qiyun asked, “What if all of that is false? What if these Exorcist Immortals never ascended and were simply devoured until only their clothes and nails remained?”

Yuanqi’s expression darkened. He questioned angrily, “Are you saying that all those books are full of lies?”

Zhou Qiyun smiled. “It depends on who wrote the books. If I were to author one, I would expose these lies and write the bloody truth, to prevent the future generations from being led astray!”

He tossed the white-robed Exorcist Immortal’s skin aside and stepped out of the grand temple. “For these seventeen Exorcist Immortals, their masters are responsible for their deaths! These old coots passed down their cultivation techniques not to perpetuate their lineage, but to cultivate crops.”

He sneered coldly, “Treating the world’s talents as crops, harvesting them generation after generation! I refuse to be harvested! I will strike back!”

Xu Ying followed him. A vast crowd filled the area beyond the temple, stretching as far as the eye could see.

The auras of these people were extraordinarily powerful. Behind them, seas of primordial chaos rippled. Bright grotto heavens warped space and time, plunged into the sea to draw energy.

The dazzling light emitted by the grotto heavens even eclipsed the sun of the temple world.

Xu Ying couldn’t help but exclaim in awe, “The Zhou clan’s experts are as numerous as the stars in the sky!”

What a massive clan, what immense power!

Standing before the temple’s doors, Zhou Qiyun’s voice spread throughout the mountains. “Descendants and disciples of the Zhou clan, hear my command. Tear down every door, dismantle every roof, and pry out even the nails of every coffin you see! Strip this Radiant Vestige land of sublimation bare!”

The experts of the Zhou clan bowed in unison. “Yes!”

They scattered in all directions. Some tore down buildings and hauled away anything of value. The more powerful Exorcists refined the Radiant Vestige left behind by the white-robed Exorcist Immortal and stored it in strange vessels.

Xu Ying even saw them gather the Exorcist Immortal’s human skin.

Some even went to the five immortal mountains, cut the chunks of flesh down to size, and put them inside those vessels to grow. Xu Ying had no idea what they intended to do with them.

They didn’t even spare the gods that had reverted to stone. The Exorcists carried away everything, leaving nothing behind.

Judging by their efficiency and coordination, this was not their first time. They had clearly done this many times before.

Zhou Qiyun continued walking ahead. Clouds billowed under Xu Ying and Yuanqi’s feet, carrying them after him.

Xu Ying asked, “Senior Zhou, you’ve found so many Exorcist Immortals over all these years. Did none of them survive?”

Zhou Qiyun halted and pondered for a moment. “I found seventeen dead Exorcist Immortals. However, I also found several empty Radiant Vestige lands of sublimation. There was no corpse and no ash. I can’t confirm whether their owners survived, but the chances are slim.”

Xu Ying understood what he meant.

Exorcist Immortals who chose to enter their Radiant Vestige land of sublimation were basically at the end of their lifespans. Even if they realized the trap and escaped, they would gain only a few more years.

“After finding the cultivation techniques trap, I combed the world for Exorcist Immortals who had died in their Radiant Vestige land of sublimation. The results were disappointing, but not without rewards.”

Zhou Qiyun made his way toward the entrance of the temple world and picked up where he had left off. “None of those Exorcist Immortals possessed mediocre talent. To varying degrees, they all discovered the flaw hidden within the Exorcist cultivation systems. Some had progressed very far, trying to solve the problem by studying even older cultivation systems. Among their belongings, I found several demonic arts.”

Yuanqi wanted to speak up, but ultimately chose to keep his speculations regarding the ancient demonic civilization to himself. He’s a human in the end. Even if I expose the human’s schemes, I would only have alerted them. It’s better to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Xu Ying said, “The so-called demonic arts are actually cultivation techniques of ancient Qi Cultivators. For some unknown reason, they were lost to time and eventually became cultivation techniques for demons. Did their approach provide you with any inspiration, Senior Zhou?”

Zhou Qiyun replied aloofly, “Although they had failed, their experiences remain invaluable.”

Xu Ying’s eyes flickered. He probed, “And your goal for coming to Yongzhou’s new lands was to find me and have me decipher Qi Cultivator techniques? That would resolve the trap within your own cultivation technique?”

Zhou Qiyun burst out laughing and shook his head. “I have long since resolved the trap in my cultivation technique. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have dared to make a breakthrough a hundred seventy years ago and unlock the ninth level of my Secret Trove.”

With immense conviction and conceit, he said, “I came to the new lands for three things! The first, and the most trivial matter, is to kill the master of Mud-Pill Palace to eliminate any future threats!”

Deeply shaken inside, Xu Ying looked at Zhou Qiyun’s back.

Zhou Qiyun was certainly not a good person, yet he possessed a strange charisma.

With his hands behind his back, Zhou Qiyun looked up at the sky with a bright look in his eyes. “Although he was once my master, he intended to devour me. I cannot ignore that. In the past, I wasn’t confident I could eliminate him, but I am now.

“The battle at Mount Wu Wang was my first clash with him. He managed to escape because I had to remain wary of someone else, but he will return.” He then calmly and leisurely added, “The next time we meet, I won’t let him escape.”

Xu Ying asked, “What is the second matter?”

Zhou Qiyun smiled faintly. “I intend to follow the footsteps of Emperor Zhidao Dasheng Daming Xiao and personally visit the underworld. I want a conversation with the Emperor of the Underworld Court. When I stake everything on a battle, I have no intention of letting someone stab me in the back.”

Xu Ying looked at him in disbelief. Going to the Underworld Court and negotiating with its emperor? Could it be that Zhou Qiyun already possesses combat power rivaling that of Emperor Zhidao Dasheng Daming Xiao?

Still smiling faintly, Zhou Qiyun continued, “The third matter is the most important of them. The first two matters merely pave the way for it.”

Xu Ying composed himself. “What is it?”

“I’ll tell you after I kill the master of the Mud-Pill Palace. It’s still too early to speak of it now. Stay by my side, Xu Ying. Help me decipher the Granny Tuo Immortal Book.”

Puzzled, Xu Ying asked, “Granny Tuo Immortal Book?”

“My clan obtained an immortal book from an ancient grotto heaven in Mount Duqiao. It is extremely profound and cryptic. The master of the grotto heaven was known as Granny Tuo, so the book came to be called the Granny Tuo Immortal Book.

“Many of the clan’s talents are already deciphering it. They have uncovered plenty of useful information. Xu Ying, you have the talent to decipher the immortal book. My clan won’t treat you unfairly.”

The corner of Xu Ying’s eyes twitched. “Senior Zhou has invited me so generously, and you’re my senior. Naturally, I won’t refuse. However, I have killed Zhou Yang and Zhou Yihang. I’m afraid there may be some misunderstandings once I arrive in the clan.”

Zhou Qiyun shook his head. “They wouldn’t dare to treat you too harshly.”

Xu Ying remained calm. “You’re mistaken, Senior. What I mean is that I will retaliate.”

Zhou Qiyun gave him a deep look and smiled once more. “Anyone who dares kill gods is bound to be unruly. Fight back all you want.”

They stepped out of the temple world and returned to the Water Entrance Temple, only to find people inside. Yuan Weiyang, the delicate-looking youth leading them, was in white and dark-blue robes. Standing behind him was the green-robed elderly servant, Uncle Xiao.

The two had been searching the area around the Water Entrance Temple. To rescue Xu Ying, they clashed with Granny Zhou Yu. She eventually escaped, and despite pursuing her for a long time, they failed to find either her or Xu Ying.

Later, they witnessed Zhou Qiyun forcibly tear apart the Water Entrance Temple’s disguise, revealing the five immortal mountains. They rushed over at once, only to encounter Xu Ying and the others unexpectedly.

Yuan Weiyang’s gaze fell on Zhou Qiyun. He furrowed his brow slightly, then glanced at Xu Ying.

Following behind him, Uncle Xiao glanced at Zhou Qiyun but failed to recognize him as the Zhou clan’s old ancestor.

Zhou Qiyun had risen to prominence more than two hundred years ago. Afterward, he entered seclusion and rarely appeared in public, so Uncle Xiao had never met him.

Just as Yuan Weiyang was about to speak, Xu Ying suddenly laughed out loud. “Weiyang, you’re here too? Long time no see!”

He stepped forward, grabbed Yuan Weiyang’s hand, and stealthily squeezed it with a smile. “Senior Zhou, he’s an old acquaintance of mine from Lingling City. Weiyang. This is Senior Zhou from the Zhou clan, a figure second to none in the clan.”

He squeezed Yuan Weiyang’s hand again, wondering, Why is his hand so soft? His skin is smoother and more delicate than mine. City boys really do take care of themselves. We’re much rougher out in the countryside.

Uncle Xiao stared at Xu Ying’s hand, his eyes nearly spewing flames.

Xu Ying squeezed again, confirming his observation.

Without changing his expression, Yuan Weiyang withdrew his hand. He said softly, “Since you’re busy, I shall take my leave first.”

He turned to leave. Uncle Xiao glared at Xu Ying viciously before hurrying to follow.

Just then, Zhou Qiyun asked, “You’re surnamed Yuan? Your clan’s Yuan Wuji is pretty skilled. I’ve fought him before. He only lost to me by a narrow margin.”

Yuan Weiyang halted, and Uncle Xiao’s expression immediately changed. Only then did he understand Xu Ying’s intentions.

Yuan Wuji was the Yuan clan’s old ancestor, possessing cultivation so vast that it spanned heaven and earth. He was deeply unfathomable and had long become a legend of the clan.

If this white-browed youth claimed that Yuan Wuji had lost to him by the slimmest margin, then there was only one possibility: he was the Zhou clan’s old ancestor.

With a tone that allowed no refusal, Zhou Qiyun said, “Deciphering the Granny Tuo Immortal Book requires extremely talented people. Your clan’s people are all very talented. You shall stay here.”

Just as Uncle Xiao was about to fly into a rage, Yuan Weiyang raised his hand to stop him. With a bow, he said, “I wouldn’t dare to refuse.”

He went to Xu Ying’s side and stood quietly, as if his predicament had nothing to do with him.

Yuanqi noticed Xu Ying kept sniffing his right hand with a weird expression. He whispered, “Ah Ying, what happened to your hand?”

Xu Ying sniffed his fingertip again and whispered back, “Strange. I just squeezed Brother Yuan’s hand. Now, my hand is fragrant. Smell it!”

Yuanqi sniffed and replied in disdain, “His hand smells so nice! That guy is so girly.”