Day of Ascension

Zhou Buyi trembled all over again. He shuddered as he thought of raising his hand to eliminate Xu Ying, yet he didn’t dare to put his thought into action.

Others might not know Xu Ying’s background, but he did.

The Zhou clan’s old ancestor, Zhou Qiyun, had personally escorted Xu Ying here!

That fact alone was enough to keep him from acting rashly.

I only wanted Young Master Fan to teach this country bumpkin a lesson. Who told him to disrespect his elder and humiliate me for being incompetent? But how dare he kill Young Master Fan?

Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. As the chief steward of the inner estate, he had weathered countless storms over the years. Hidden malice ran rampant among the noble clans of the Divine Land. What had he not seen?

If an unknown junior like Xu Ying entered the Zhou clan and acted arrogantly, offending the chief steward of the inner estate, Zhou Buyi could make his life a living hell with a few petty tricks and force him to kneel in submission.

Yet, he had truly never seen someone like Xu Ying, who went straight for the kill and even slew a master.

Noticing Zhou Buyi’s demeanor, Xu Ying grew disappointed and said, “You lied to me. You said that the Zhou clan is the best in the world at healing, but you can’t save him. I wouldn’t have struck so hard if I had known.”

Yuanqi asked in confusion, “Really?”

Xu Ying shook his head. “No. He deserved to die for trying to avenge a corrupt official like Zhou Yang. Why would I hold back? I only said that to be polite and give him a way out so that he wouldn’t look too bad.”

Yuanqi praised, “I didn’t know you were this considerate, Ah Ying. I’ve wronged you.”

“You bastard! You really think our clan has no one left?”

Finally, someone came back to their senses from the shock and anger. They charged at Xu Ying, radiating a murderous aura. In just a few steps, he grew to fifteen chi tall. Golden light covered him, making him resemble a Buddha’s golden body.

A sea of chaos churned violently behind that Buddha’s head. Two grotto heavens radiated brilliant light, empowering him.

“Today, I shall avenge the clan descendants and disciples you killed!”

His palm seal was enormous. Thunder exploded as he struck. It was as though a Buddha from the legendary Great Thunderclap Temple had unleashed a demon-subduing technique. Burning Buddhist wrath surged beneath his palm.

Taking a step back, Xu Ying asked, “Looking for a spar or revenge?”

“Revenge!”

As soon as that person’s voice faded, Xu Ying unleashed a palm strike. Dust and mist rose behind him as a huge horned snake burst forth from the mist. A Ba snake and the Buddha’s palm met the moment two palms collided.

That Zhou clan descendant groaned. An overwhelming force swept through him and shattered the bones in his arm with a sharp crack.

The Ba snake slammed into him, sending him flying back. He suddenly froze in midair as the snake bit down and swallowed him whole.

The Ba snake avatar formed from Xu Ying’s vital energy dissipated, revealing Xu Ying holding the man by his throat, suspended in midair.

“You still dare to injure another?”

The Zhou clan descendants flew into a rage. Two people burst forth from the sides, but before they could close the distance, Xu Ying twisted his palm with force. The Ba snake’s avatar reappeared, coiled around that initial Zhou clan descendant, and exerted all its might.

Crack!

The force snapped every bone, including his neck. Even more terrifying, Xu Ying’s strike had severed the flow of vigor from his Mud-Pill Secret Trove. When he hit the ground, he could only heal the injuries on his head. Everything below his neck felt amputated, devoid of sensation.

Boundless terror surged through him, and he let out a shrill scream.

Meanwhile, the two other descendants had activated their Mud-Pill Secret Trove the moment they charged forth, opening their grotto heavens and pushing their cultivation to the limit.

Each of them had obtained one Radiant Vestige from the Zhou clan’s Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirit Radiant Vestige Art and reached the level of vestige-body unity and body-soul unity.

Vestige-body unity referred to the fusion of a Radiant Vestige with the physical body. Many techniques among the Thirty-Six Radiant Vestige Art allowed the user to take the form of gods, demons, Buddhas, divine beasts, or even heavenly gods. And the fusion, vestige-body unity, allowed that transformation to happen.

Body-soul unity was even harder to achieve. The soul and the physical body became inseparable, transforming alongside the Radiant Vestige and merging the three into one. As a result, cultivation and combat power multiplied.

One of the two transformed into a three-legged god wielding a blazing saber. The other became a three-eyed god capable of firing divine light from his eyes.

Taking advantage of Xu Ying’s use of the True Cultivation of Ba Snake, they attacked from opposite sides.

Xu Ying leaped into the air, asking, “Spar or revenge?”

“Revenge!”

In mid-air, Xu Ying turned around like a Ba snake flipping itself. As his limbs moved, a dragon emerged from beneath his robe while a giant python coiled forward. The two beasts collided with their attacks.

They were all using martial arts; not yet reached the level of divine abilities. It seemed like a clash of avatars, but it was merely a collision of martial techniques.

The two immediately felt an overwhelming force crushing down upon them like a wave, indescribably deep and majestic. Both were shocked inside.

He’s opened the third level of grotto heaven? No, wait a minute, he’s a demonic cultivator. Could it be that his demonic art has broken through the Qi-Gathering Stage?

To them, Xu Ying’s demonic power had surpassed the limits of both Demon Kings and demon gods!

Unleashing all their might, the two roared, doing all they could to block the dragon-snake strike. Their defenses shattered instantly. Their swollen muscles burst apart with loud pops. Before blood could flow from the wounds, the berserk pure Yang primordial qi vaporized it into a crimson mist.

The two exchanged a glance and gritted their teeth. “As long as we don’t die, we’re not afraid of any injury, no matter how severe!”

The blood mist surging from them suddenly condensed into a blood-colored short sword. It turned out that Xu Ying’s sword qi and the blood mist had fused. With a hiss, the blood sword pierced through one man’s temple!

The blood sword shifted direction and arrived before the other. Just as it was about to pierce through him as well, a white-haired youth suddenly stepped forward and stood before him. Raising a hand, he met Xu Ying’s sword qi head-on.

His palm instantly turned metallic and glowed with golden light. The moment it collided with Xu Ying’s sword qi, it suddenly grew thick and large. He flicked his finger in succession. Each strike carried tremendous force, deflecting the sword qi aside with ringing clangs.

The streak of sword qi narrowly brushed past him. It carved through the floor and raced across its surface before slamming into a thick bronze pillar.

A loud clang erupted from the bronze pillar. Then, the sword strike grew stronger as it met resistance. The sword qi’s power skyrocketed and slammed into the pillar again, producing another resounding clang that echoed through the hall.

Xu Ying felt a chill in his heart as he missed his strike. Placing one foot forward and one foot back, he bent forward and unleashed the Dragon-Python Twin Flight from the Dragon-Snake Spring Awakening Cultivating Method.

All of a sudden, he recalled the third character from the Supreme Yin Primordial Nurturing Art by a stroke of uncanny inspiration. A grand, resonant Dao sound immediately rang out in his mind.

His primordial qi split into two streams, Yin and Yang. They intertwined like fire and water, flowing into Dragon-Python Twin Flight.

Mang guuuu!

Xu Ying thrust both hands forward. The pure Yang primordial qi turned into a divine dragon, while the pure Yin primordial qi turned into a Ba snake. The divine dragon soared and roared furiously, while the Ba snake twisted and rolled, surging forward toward the white-haired youth.

The white-haired youth was the sixth young master of the Zhou clan, Zhou Youyou. He had been studying the Granny Tuo Immortal Book in the hall. Because of his exceptional talent, the clan had valued him since childhood and entrusted him with deciphering the immortal text.

However, the Granny Tuo Immortal Book was profoundly cryptic. Despite his youth, the effort had already turned his hair white.

Yet, his talent was undeniable. Breaking Xu Ying’s Realm Breaker earlier was just a small display of his prowess.

Yet, this strike from Xu Ying was extremely ferocious. The dragon and serpent matched harmoniously, amplifying its might by six or sevenfold. Layer upon layer of sonic waves rippled outward. The force distorted Xu Ying’s face, creating visible folds across his skin.

Zhou Youyou shielded the clansman behind him. Under the assault, he lost his footing and slid backward. As the dragon-snake avatar lunged toward him, he hurriedly shouted, “It’s a spar! A spar, not revenge!”

He gave his all to block the attack. Just as despair began to take hold, the force behind Dragon-Python Twin Flight suddenly vanished.

Shocked and bewildered, Zhou Youyou saw Xu Ying stagger backward. Xu Ying’s face flushed red, as if he were drunk.

“This young master’s cultivation is profound, and your divine ability is astonishing.”

Xu Ying retreated several steps before finally steadying himself. He stabilized his breath and said, “It’s my honor to exchange pointers with you. How about we call it a draw?”

Zhou Youyou was stunned. His hands were still trembling as he hurriedly said, “I’m no match for yo—”

Xu Ying smiled. “It’s a draw, then. I am Xu Ying. May I ask for your name?”

Looking bewildered, Zhou Youyou answered, “Zhou Youyou.”

Filled with deep respect, Xu Ying said, “Brother Youyou already possesses such capabilities at such a young age. Truly admirable. May I ask for your age?”

Still dazed, Zhou Youyou murmured, “I’m sixteen...”

Xu Ying said, “Truly young and promising. I’m fourteen.”

Zhou Youyou fell silent, not speaking any further.

Yuanqi sneakily raised his tail toward Xu Ying like a thumb and whispered in praise, “Ah Ying, you finally have tact. It seems like your time in Qin Yan Cave wasn’t a waste. You’ve read a lot and have become polite. Did you read The Comprehensive Examination of the Five Rites?”

Xu Ying replied with delight, “You noticed it? It’s that thickest book. I read it every night before I went to bed. It helps me sleep very well.”

Despite the fierce battle, the thirteen clan elders seated in the center of the hall remained undisturbed. They continued studying the jade slip Dao book with complete focus. It was truly admirable.

As for the other Zhou clan descendants, though they were raring to go, the final move from Xu Ying was truly terrifying. None of them could gauge the limits of his strength, and no one dared step forward.

Yuan Weiyang’s gaze never left Xu Ying all this time. Suddenly, he turned to Uncle Xiao and said, “Demon King Xu obtained the true legacy.”

As if he hadn’t heard clearly, Uncle Xiao blurted out, “What?”

Yuan Weiyang said, “He obtained the true legacy. The contents of the Granny Tuo Immortal Book are fake. They are not the true teachings. Perhaps only half of it is the true teachings.”

Still struggling, Uncle Xiao asked, “What are you trying to say, Weiyang?”

Yuan Weiyang’s eyes dimmed slightly. He didn’t explain any further and walked straight toward the jade slip Dao book, muttering to himself, “When he unleashed the dragon-snake combination attack, his primordial qi wasn’t that dense. Yet when he struck, there was an additional transformation of Yin and Yang, drastically increasing the technique’s power.

“That move subtly aligned with the Dao of supreme Yin mentioned in the Granny Tuo Immortal Book, yet it also contained additional Yang transformations. That means the Granny Tuo Immortal Book is either incomplete or a false scripture...”

She[1] approached the jade slip Dao book and examined it, wondering aloud, “So, how did he receive the true teachings from these eight characters?”

She sat down quietly and pondered the eight bird-worm seal script characters with all her intelligence and insight but to no avail.

Then, a flash of inspiration struck Yuan Weiyang. She recalled the strange movements Xu Ying had performed while facing the jade slip Dao book.

She thought, Could that be the reason why?

Immediately, she copied him and performed the same actions toward the jade slip Dao book.

Xu Ying’s movement hadn’t been complicated. Since she had been observing him, it wasn’t difficult to replicate them.

Uncle Xiao stared in astonishment, while a Zhou descendant clan nearby muttered, “Well, another one’s gone crazy!”

Though it was unclear who he was referring to.

Yuan Weiyang tried for a long time, perfectly imitating Xu Ying’s eight movements, yet still gained nothing.

She thought, There must be an inner mantra.

She looked at Xu Ying. Only then did he realize that both Xu Ying and Yuanqi had already left the hall.

She stepped outside and found Xu Ying and Yuanqi. They had climbed onto the roof at some point. Xu Ying was performing strange movements, while Yuanqi lay coiled nearby, inhaling and exhaling like a giant set of bellows. Each breath stirred fierce winds that howled through the air.

Only during the brief pauses between breaths did the surroundings become calm.

One glance was enough to tell that this cultivation method did not belong to humans. It was unmistakably the style of demons.

Yuan Weiyang jumped onto the roof and asked in confusion, “Are you not going to study the immortal book?”

Xu Ying continued practicing the Supreme Yin Primordial Nurturing Art unhurriedly. “I already learned it, so I’m not going.”

Without an ounce of shame, the huge snake said, “I don’t understand it, so I’m not going either. I’ll have Ah Ying teach me when he’s familiar with it.”

Yuan Weiyang opened her mouth, but hesitated for a moment before saying, “I’ll consult my honored mother when I return!”

Xu Ying paused and asked curiously, “You’re going back to consult your mother? Are you planning to exchange the Yuan clan’s cultivation technique for what’s in the jade slip Dao book? But Brother Yuan, does the Yuan clan possess an immortal art profound enough for such a trade?”

Yuan Weiyang’s expression dimmed. “No.”

Just as he was about to jump off the roof, Xu Ying smiled. “You don’t have to consult your mother about everything. You can make your own decisions.

“For example, I’ll do the trade with you if you offer your Yuan clan’s Dragon Tracking Technique, the method to unlock the Yellow-Court Secret Trove, and your ancestral cultivation techniques, and so on.”

A hint of joy showed on Yuan Weiyang’s face. Just as he was about to agree to the exchange, Uncle Xiao suddenly appeared behind him.

He said expressionlessly, “Young Master Weiyang, it’s time to go down. Don’t forget that you will be the master of the Yuan clan in the future, bearing the responsibility of restoring the clan to its former glory. You mustn’t associate too closely with demonic beings.”

Yuan Weiyang froze and said, “I understand, Uncle Xiao.”

The joy in his eyes vanished, replaced by a cold indifference, unmoved by anything. He jumped off the roof.

Uncle Xiao glared at Xu Ying intensely and said, “Young Master Xu, you’d best stay far away from Young Master Weiyang. Don’t even think about getting your hands on our clan’s ultimate techniques through him.”

Xu Ying stretched himself and continued practicing the Supreme Yin Primordial Nurturing Art as if he didn’t hear him.

Uncle Xiao also jumped down from the roof.

Dazhong’s voice rang out, “Yuan Weiyang is not bad at all. He saw through the flaws in the Granny Tuo Immortal Book and found you. Unfortunately, that elderly servant lacks tact. Ah Ying, I observed you practicing the Supreme Yin Primordial Nurturing Art. It seems truly profound. If you teach me, my injuries will probably heal faster!”

Yuanqi asked curiously, “Dazhong, you can practice the Supreme Yin Primordial Nurturing Art? But you’re a bell. How can a bell practice?”

Dazhong said angrily, “Stupid snake, the Eight Forms of Primordial Nurturing are only external. Its foundation actually lies in the Eight Sounds of Primordial Nurturing! Those eight Dao sounds are the essence of that art! I only need to learn the sounds to practice! Moreover, I’m a bell, so I’ll learn even faster!”

Yuanqi asked, “Can I learn it too?”

Xu Ying looked Yuanqi up and down and said half-heartedly, “You probably can, but you likely won’t be able to learn all of it.”

Dazhong immediately seized the opportunity to stir up trouble. “Ah Ying, teach him half. Make him turn into a girl. When he takes human form, you’ll save money on bride-price!”

Yuanqi snapped angrily, “Damned bell, I’ll fight you to the death!”

The snake and bell tangled in a fierce fight. It didn’t take long before Yuanqi begged Master Zhong for mercy, and everything returned to normal.

Xu Ying waited for them to calm down before imparting the primordial nurturing Dao sound of the Supreme Yin Primordial Nurturing Art to Yuanqi and Dazhong. He couldn’t fully articulate the Dao sounds of the eight characters, so they could only learn them roughly.

Even so, it was no small opportunity. Furthermore, while his teaching lacked the profundity of the Granny Tuo Immortal Book, his explanations were far more complete.

Thus, the man, snake, and bell performed strange movements as they absorbed the dense primordial qi of heaven and earth carried by the scent of flowers.

Zhou Buyi lifted his head, glanced up, let out a cold snort, and strode quickly toward the Locust-Flower Palace’s main hall.

He entered the palace and bowed to Zhou Qiyun. “Old ancestor, that snake catcher Xu Ying has caused trouble.”

Zhou Qiyun was resting with his eyes closed. He asked indifferently, “How many people did he injure?”

1. Author started using the female pronoun for Yuan Weiyang here, but changes back later for some reason. ☜