Day of Ascension

Looking up, Xu Ying saw Zhou Qiyun’s severed soul head fly into the air. His True Fire of Samadhi shot out and incinerated the curved saber. Then the soul reconnected and restored itself.

Even a soul could regenerate. That left Xu Ying deeply shaken. So, if Zhou Qiyun formed a Primordial Spirit, wouldn’t it also be undying and indestructible?

Obscuring the sky, a massive creature appeared before Zhou Qiyun, forming a stark contrast with his tiny figure.

When they collided, the sky became extremely unstable, shattering easily like a mirror.

Xu Ying watched clusters of fire and thunder escape from the broken space. They spread along the cracks in the sky before erupting, even more dazzling than fireworks.

Just as the massive creature collided with Zhou Qiyun, the human skeleton atop his head rose to his feet and thrust his sword out.

This strike seemed even more threatening than the massive creature’s attack. The chaotic sea behind Zhou Qiyun churned as nine grotto heavens emerged in unison and plunged into the sea, mobilizing all the power he could muster.

Suddenly, a brilliant burst of light erupted in the sky. For an instant, multicolored immortal light shone from the shattered heaven. Xu Ying saw the vivid colors of the ethereal realm, impossible to find in the world.

Wherever the light shone, the underworld surrounding the massive locust tree trembled violently. It was midnight, so the underworld’s invasion was at its peak. Yet wherever the immortal light reached, the underworld rapidly retreated, and even the Hell River was severed.

The turbulent space between the mortal realm and the underworld shook even more violently. The immortal light descending from the heavens actually had the power to interfere with the clash of the two realms!

Xu Ying caught sight of the source of the immortal light. It radiated from within Zhou Qiyun, as if he were an ascended immortal from the legends. He floated ethereally above the world, detached from the mortal realm.

An immortal realm unfolded around him.

Xu Ying saw the mountains and rivers of the Divine Land spread outward like an unfurling scroll painting, forming a vast immortal realm.

The mountains and rivers of the Divine Land instantly drew in the massive creature and the master of Locust Flower Palace. Above the massive creature’s head, the skeleton leaped up and flew away from the immortal realm like a streak of light, trying to escape before the immortal realm fully unfolded.

Alas, the immortal realm expanded faster than he could fly. After traveling several hundred li, he found that the mountains and rivers of the Divine Land had already merged with heaven and earth, leaving no discernible boundary.

The skeleton halted in midair and looked out. He saw neither the new lands, the massive locust tree, nor the Hell River. Realizing escape was impossible without killing Zhou Qiyun, he turned back.

He returned to the massive creature and stood atop its head. Separating would only weaken them. Joining forces still gave them a chance at victory.

His previous clash with Zhou Qiyun at Mount Wuwang had been rather abrupt for both of them. Neither side had fully prepared, and the battle concluded before either could unleash their strongest techniques.

Unexpectedly, in a battle that should have guaranteed victory, Zhou Qiyun had unleashed the final form of his Radiant Vestige sublimation and dragged them into his immortal realm!

Xu Ying looked up and saw that Zhou Qiyun had even dragged the white skeleton emperor into the immortal realm. That left him deeply shaken.

A Radiant Vestige land of sublimation was the unique cultivation method of Exorcists. They cultivated it so that when their lifespan finally ran out, they would have an immortal realm in which to hide and continue existing indefinitely.

However, Zhou Qiyun’s cultivation method was somewhat different. His Radiant Vestige land of sublimation was not meant for concealment.

Instead, he planned to merge his Radiant Vestige land of sublimation fully with the entire Divine Land, turning it into an immortal realm. He would no longer need to hide in the gap between the mortal realm and the underworld like the white-robed Exorcist Immortal.

He intended to remain openly in the mortal realm as an undying immortal, living with honor and dignity!

From this point alone, he was already vastly superior to the white-robed immortal!

As Zhou Qiyun’s divine land immortal realm unfolded, the flesh that had grown on the underworld ghost soldiers immediately rotted and withered. They all snapped back to their senses, roared, and charged toward the Locust Flower Palace.

The thirteen clan elders immediately soared into the sky to face the underworld soldiers. They were immensely powerful. Their grotto heavens shone brilliantly, warping the space.

Some of the Radiant Vestige manifested as mighty rivers that surged through the air, sweeping hundreds of underworld soldiers aside. Others took the form of towering mountains. They rose into the sky before crashing down and crushing the soldiers beneath them.

Still others manifested as rainbows. Standing atop them, the clan elders cut through the battlefield in a relentless slaughter.

However, the underworld ghost soldiers were simply too numerous. Many slipped past the clan elders and continued their charge toward Locust Flower Palace.

“Demon King Xu, now’s a good time for us to leave.”

Turning his head back, Xu Ying saw Yuan Weiyang and Uncle Xiao standing not far away.

With a clear gaze, Yuan Weiyang looked at him. “The Zhou clan powerhouses can barely protect themselves now. The other experts will soon face the same situation. No one can stop us from leaving. If you’re willing, Uncle Xiao can escort us out.”

Xu Ying hesitated momentarily before shaking his head. “Thank you for your kind intentions. My two friends are still on the great locust tree. I can’t leave just like this.”

Uncle Xiao sneered coldly, “To know others is wisdom, and to know oneself is enlightenment. Xu Ying, you know neither. I’m worried you’ll die here. Come with me. I can get you out.”

Yuan Weiyang revealed a barely perceptible, faint smile. “As expected of Demon King Xu. Let’s go, Uncle Xiao.”

Following Uncle Xiao, Yuan Weiyang charged out of the Locust Flower Palace. The duo broke through the encirclement and slew dozens of soldiers in quick succession, displaying astonishing strength. Soon, they vanished into the darkness of the night.

The Zhou clan members also streamed out, clashing with the underworld soldiers. Meanwhile, Xu Ying didn’t bother blocking the underworld soldiers. Taking advantage of the chaos, he slipped back into the Locust Flower Palace and searched for valuables.

Witnessing the Zhou clan strip the dilapidated temple of every valuable item had left a deep impression on him. Ever since then, he had entertained the idea of profiting from chaos whenever the opportunity arose.

Xu Ying slipped into the study where Zhou Qiyun rested, intending to find some treasures. A jade seal sat on the desk. Judging it to be valuable, he immediately picked it up.

At that moment, the sky shook violently, as though a towering mountain had fallen from the sky.

Xu Ying hurriedly pushed the window to look outside. A mountain range stretching more than one hundred li had crashed into the underworld mountains. The peaks rose and fell. Only then did he realize it was the massive creature.

He raised his head and saw the massive creature’s head plummeting from Zhou Qiyun’s immortal realm!

As he watched, the royal canopy spanning several mu suddenly snapped backward, shattering into countless pieces amid dazzling radiance.

The skeleton emperor shattered an instant later. His tattered Primordial Spirit burst into flames and fled away with a blazing trail of light.

Xu Ying closed the window, put the jade seal back in its place, wiped his fingerprints off, stepped out of the study, and closed the door.

The simple and honest youth thought, Before looting a burning house, one should first make sure the house can actually be looted.

Engulfed in raging flames, the massive creature’s head plummeted from the sky. It crashed to the ground and rolled forward. After only a few rolls, it had traveled more than a dozen li and happened to block the path of the fleeing Yuan Weiyang and Uncle Xiao.

A towering mountain suddenly appeared before them, the base gushing blood to form a river that was five to six zhang wide.

Uncle Xiao was about to cross the mountain with Yuan Weiyang when she halted. Uncle Xiao looked back in confusion.

With a calm expression, Yuan Weiyang said, “Uncle Xiao, we can’t escape. Let’s go back.

Uncle Xiao said loudly, “Young Master Weiyang, we can escape once we climb over this mountain!”

Yuan Weiyang shook her head. “Now, the Zhou clan ancestor is the strongest across all of the Divine Land. He has grown far stronger than when he defeated the honored ancestor, Yuan Wuji.”

Uncle Xiao was perplexed.

Yuan Weiyang continued, “Rather than trying to escape only to be brought back, we might as well stay willingly. If we remain by his side, we can learn a great deal from him.”

Uncle Xiao said gravely, “But he’ll eliminate you all once you’ve outlived your usefulness! Staying behind is practically a death sentence!”

“Uncle Xiao, do you still not understand? He threw the Mud Pill Palace Master’s head as a warning.”

Yuan Weiyang turned around and walked toward the Locust Flower Palace. “If he can throw that head before us to block our path, then he can just as easily throw it directly at us. We wouldn’t be able to stop it. We’d be crushed to death.”

That statement shook Uncle Xiao to the core. He staggered back to her side, murmuring, “The Zhou clan’s old ancestor can’t possibly be this powerful. He couldn’t have monitored our every move while clashing with two peerless existences.”

Gazing up at the battle in the immortal realm in the sky, Yuan Weiyang said calmly, “He’s already an immortal in the mortal realm. As long as he makes no mistakes, no one can match him. He could live forever, yet...”

Puzzled, she said in a low voice, “Zhou clan old ancestor, what are you still searching for? Why do you still need us to decipher the cultivation techniques of Qi Cultivators?”

Yuan Weiyang returned to the Locust Flower Palace and saw that the chaos had already subsided. Xu Ying seemed to be waiting for them.

Seeing Xu Ying, Uncle Xiao’s aged face flushed slightly. He raised his sleeve to hide his face, secretly feeling ashamed.

I told him that knowing others is wisdom and knowing oneself is enlightenment. Yet he anticipated our return and waited for us here.

Meanwhile, Xu Ying paid them no attention. He stared at the immortal realm overhead, where Zhou Qiyun and the human skeleton were engaged in their final clash. Anxiety flickered across his face.

“I never expected the Zhou clan’s old ancestor to be this powerful. I thought that both sides would end up suffering heavy losses at the very least.”

Previously, he was confident he could slip out of Zhou Qiyun’s grasp; now, he didn’t feel confident at all.

Yuan Weiyang also secretly grew anxious.

Zhou Qiyun would definitely not allow them to continue slacking off. He would surely force them to decipher the Granny Tuo Immortal Book.

Refusing to decipher meant death.

Deciphering it also meant death!

Suddenly, Xu Ying said, “Then, let’s just hand him the Granny Tuo Immortal Book.”

Yuan Weiyang looked at him in shock, then nodded silently a moment later.

The battle in the immortal realm in the sky stopped. Gazing up, Xu Ying saw the skeleton standing in the air. The sword in his grasp shattered to pieces with a loud clatter, though the skeleton stood firm.

Meanwhile, the youthful Zhou Qiyun, with his white eyebrows and immortal bearing, adjusted his clothing, lifted his robe, and knelt before the skeleton respectfully. With both hands on the ground, he kowtowed.

“You’re my mentor, after all. Though you harbored ill intentions, you still showed me kindness.”

With a calm expression, Zhou Qiyun said, “To kill you would be unfilial of me. Here, I kneel and ask for your forgiveness.”

The skeleton burst out laughing. “Good, good! I feel deeply comforted with a disciple like you. I can rest in peace!”

Then, the skeleton exploded with a pop and turned to dust.

Zhou Qiyun withdrew his immortal realm. The majestic Divine Land swept into him like a painting.

He descended from the sky with steady steps; the moment he touched ground, he suddenly staggered. A trace of blood leaked out of the corner of his mouth, which he immediately swallowed.

Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang lit up with joy inside. He’s injured after all! He’s not invincible!

Yet, as if driven by some strange instinct, Zhou Qiyun glanced at the massive locust tree nearby. Raising his white eyebrow slightly, he said in a low voice, “You’re still not making a move after seeing that I’m injured?”

Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang felt their hair stand on end.

Those words carried layers of meaning. The more they thought about them, the more unsettled they became.

Zhou Qiyun walked over with a calm expression. He nodded lightly at the two and said, “In the next few days, I want to see the deciphered Granny Tuo Immortal Book. Prepare it.”

With that, he walked into the Locust Flower Palace.

The two exchanged glances. After a moment of silence, they said in unison, “Is he injured after all? Or was he pretending to be injured to draw out another enemy?”

Puzzled, Uncle Xiao quickly asked, “Who is this other enemy you speak of?”

The two turned to look at the massive locust tree. Following their gazes, Uncle Xiao said in confusion, “Young Master, you’re referring to this great locust tree? Impossible, it’s just a tree...”

Xu Ying leaned in and whispered in Yuan Weiyang’s ear, “Your steward is a little stupid. Don’t listen to him on everything, or he’ll drag you down.”

Her breath as fragrant as orchids, Yuan Weiyang whispered back, “I know, but I just can’t win against him sometimes. My honored mother is very strict, and she told me to listen to him while outside.”

“He’ll turn you stupid. Your earlobes look really nice, clear and translucent. They’re so clear and translucent that light passes through them.”

Yuan Weiyang’s earlobe turned red.

Uncle Xiao’s expression darkened. He stepped forward and slid his hands between the two, separating them.

Xu Ying laughed it off. “Let’s go back and get some sleep. We’ll decipher the Granny Tuo Immortal Book tomorrow!”

The night passed peacefully.

At the hour of the Ox[1], lightning flashed and thunder roared, and the earth trembled violently. The room Zhou Qiyun resided in exploded. Everyone rushed outside the room. Through the candlelit windows, they saw dark shadows flickering across the paper panes while violent clashes echoed from within.

Loud snapping noises rang out as thick roots burst out from the earth like giant pythons, but thicker and stronger. They twisted and tangled together, surrounding Zhou Qiyun’s room.

A moment later, the massive locust tree shook violently twice, then fell silent.

Xu Ying was also among the crowd, unable to tell what had happened inside.

As everyone speculated, the door slowly opened through the tangled layers of roots. Zhou Qiyun had opened it, looking much better than before.

“I borrowed Fellow Daoist Great Locust’s eight thousand years of vigor and vitality. I am feeling much better now. You should all go back and rest.”

Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang’s scalps went numb. They turned back and returned in silence.

After a moment, Yuan Weiyang whispered, “Previously, Master Zhong said that the great locust still has eight thousand years before it would be burned to death.”

Xu Ying nodded silently. “He pretended to be injured to lure the great locust into attacking him. In reality, he intended to seize its vitality from the very beginning. The moment it acted, it fell into his trap.”

“Actually, he really was severely injured.”

Xu Ying’s eyes flickered. Zhou Qiyun was indeed severely injured when he killed the Mud Pill Palace Master. If the great locust had struck at that time, it could definitely have killed him. Yet because Zhou Qiyun behaved as though he were deliberately pretending to be injured, the great locust didn’t dare act.

After Zhou Qiyun returned to his room and finished making his preparations, he lured the great locust into striking once more.

As long as it had made a move, it would have died.

1. In traditional Chinese timekeeping, the Ox hour is between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM. ☜