Day of Ascension

Zhou Qiyun’s expression shifted several times. Why did the emperor choose to visit Yongzhou now? Why rely on the little ghosts to gather yang qi? Could it be...?

His expression became peculiar. Could it be that the injury I inflicted on him still hasn’t healed?

He sighed and looked up at the sky, lost in thought. The lateEmperor Zhidao Dasheng was my benefactor. I have no desire to commit regicide or usurp the throne, but His Majesty’s arrival in Yongzhou complicates matters greatly for me.

Xu Ying surveyed his surroundings and realized he stood at the edge of a cliff atop a towering mountain. Below him lay a lake of azure water. It was the lake from which they had been fished out by the golden-armored soldiers moments ago! Oddly enough, they had just been in the Abyss of Cangwu.

Furthermore, the Abyss of Cangwu should have two banks, yet this cliff revealed only one side. Where’s the other bank of the Abyss of Cangwu?

Xu Ying gazed across the landscape, stretching into the sky and distant green mountains, with not a single opposing cliff in sight. Could the other bank of the Abyss of Cangwu lie beyond Mount Jiuyi?

Questions flooded his mind. Where could the other bank be?

Yuan Weiyang approached him and whispered, “Demon King Xu, I think something’s off about this man from the capital! Look at the guards stationed along the passes of Mount Jiuyi. They’re not ordinary martial sect disciples. They’re wearing the Jinwu Guard’s[1] armor.”

Xu Ying turned toward the mountain passes. Several armored figures stood atop the perilous peaks. Having grown up in the countryside, he couldn’t identify people by their attire, but he could tell that their armor was no ordinary treasure.

Each piece gleamed with a radiant light. Sword lights twirled above their heads, dancing around them, while sword qi occasionally descended into their sword cases to continue refining.

Peeking out from Xu Ying’s collar, Yuanqi clung to Xu Ying’s ear and said, “The Tang Dynasty was founded on martial prowess. In the past, Exorcists were recognized as Martial Exorcists. During the dynasty’s golden age, young nobles of the capital were fond of nurturing swords—not physical blades, but sword qi cultivated in sword cases.

“Given enough time, that sword qi could fly out and kill without leaving a trace. Few people still practice sword nurturing today. Only the Jinwu Guards have preserved the tradition.”

“How odd. Why is there still incense qi in the air?” Xu Ying wondered as he turned his gaze toward the great hall. The incense qi was so dense that it overflowed from the hall, drifting through the air as green clouds. Auspicious clouds! He had seen incense qi this dense only around the towering divine statues of the underworld’s Celestial Court.

Yuan Weiyang observed the auspicious cloud and remarked, “Imperial authority sustains the people, embodies their hopes, and commands their loyalty. The emperor gathers the world’s faith and is, in essence, the mightiest god under heaven. A supreme mortal must be inside that great hall!”

Xu Ying’s heart quaked. “Are you suggesting the emperor is inside the hall?”

Yuan Weiyang replied, “Logically speaking, yes.”

A purple-robed man stepped out of the distant hall and announced sharply, ”Chaos broke out in the underworld today. Suspend the gathering of yang qi for now. You may all rest and continue tomorrow.”

The Exorcist from the Cangwu Sect exhaled in relief and began descending the mountain. Some removed their Ghost of Impermanence masks and chatted amiably.

Yuan Weiyang lowered her voice. “So, the ones occupying Mount Jiuyi and forcing the Cangwu Sect to gather yang qi are actually palace personnel.”

Xu Ying couldn’t help but size up the man in the purple robe, whispering, “Could that person be the legendary eunuch?”

He had never seen a eunuch before and was filled with curiosity.

The purple-robed man surveyed the crowd below and frowned. “So many Exorcists died? General Yingyang, go seize a few more from the nearby martial sects.”

A burly man stepped forward from behind him. “Those Exorcists from the martial sects practice disjointed exorcism techniques. They are merely independent cultivators. Their cultivation and insight pale in comparison to those of noble clan disciples. Why not summon some from the noble families instead?”

The purple-robed man shook his head. “His Majesty has left the palace and entered the martial world under a cloak of secrecy. Your suggestion would attract attention from every corner of the realm.

“The more discreetly we handle this matter, the better. The martial sects are weak. We can eradicate them quietly afterward with little commotion. The noble clans are not so easily dealt with.”

General Yingyang acknowledged. “For years, His Majesty has worked to weaken the power and influence of the noble clans. We’ve come here to gather qi and prolong His Majesty’s life. If these noble clans were to learn of it, there’s no telling how much trouble they would stir up!

“Previously, harvesting yang qi from commoners cost the lives of just over two hundred people, yet it caused a massive uproar. These damned noble clans kill countless innocents every day, yet when His Majesty sacrifices a few lives in pursuit of longevity, they’re the first to raise an outcry.”

The purple-robed man sighed. “Everyone in the realm is watching His Majesty. Countless eyes are searching for the slightest fault. The deaths of those two hundred commoners could still be covered up by blaming them on evil spirits, with a few martial sects made into scapegoats and executed.

“However, that approach is no longer viable in the mortal world. Fortunately, something has changed in Yongzhou. With the underworld’s invasion, there’s no longer any need to venture there to gather yang qi.”

He smiled, sighing once more. “It’s the people of Yongzhou who will have to bear the suffering.”

General Yingyang sighed as well. “Let the people of Yongzhou suffer for a few more years. Once they get used to it, they’ll stop complaining. Eunuch Chen, I’ll take my leave.”

He turned and departed.

Eunuch Chen returned to the main hall and thought, His Majesty’s old affliction has flared up again. Ever since he began cultivating that immortal art, his temper has grown increasingly volatile. These past few days, he has been quick to kill at the slightest provocation. Can cultivating such an immortal art truly come without consequences?

Yuan Weiyang discreetly nudged Xu Ying in the waist, signaling him to look behind. He turned around to find that Zhou Qiyun had vanished.

“Shall we slip away?” Yuan Weiyang whispered.

Xu Ying hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. “It’s pointless.”

Yuan Weiyang thought about it and felt equally discouraged. Zhou Qiyun was simply too powerful. He had even forced his way into the Underworld Court and emerged completely unscathed. Escaping from his grasp would be all but impossible.

Xu Ying removed his mask and looked around. Mount Jiuyi had changed as well. While it had never been particularly tall, it had always been known for its beautiful scenery. Although Xu Ying had visited it before, he had never truly taken the time to appreciate it.

Now, however, Mount Jiuyi towered into the sky, its peaks piercing the clouds. Its terrain was rugged and ever-changing, grand and majestic. It bore almost no resemblance to the old Mount Jiuyi. Instead, it looked remarkably similar to the Mount Jiuyi depicted on the jade wall of the Mud-Pill Palace Grotto Heaven.

Xu Ying suddenly recalled the inscription on the jade wall. To the south of Xiaoxiang, the Abyss of Cangwu. Beneath Mount Jiuyi lies the Ageless Immortal. I’ve seen the Abyss of Cangwu, but where is the Ageless Immortal?

The longer they observed Mount Jiuyi, the more extraordinary it seemed. Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang wandered through the mountain, taking in its breathtaking scenery, when they overheard someone say, “For such a small martial sect, the Cangwu Sect occupies a famous mountain like this. I can’t tell whether that’s a blessing or a curse.”

“Definitely a curse. Once the mountain’s resources are exhausted, this sect will likely be left with nothing but scraps.” After it’s used up, this sect will likely be left with nothing but dregs.”

Xu Ying turned toward the voice. The speakers were two beautiful young women dressed in palace attire. They wore flowing green dresses with white breastbands that accentuated their figures. As they walked, they swayed gently with each step, making them particularly eye-catching beneath the sunlight.

”As the saying goes, ’Do not look at what is contrary to propriety.’ Demon King Xu, where exactly are you looking?” Yuan Weiyang reminded him.

Xu Ying looked puzzled. ”Aren’t you looking too? Are they from the palace? Their clothes are quite beautiful.”

“Are you admiring the clothing?” Yuan Weiyang shot him a look, quietly explaining, ”Their clothing may resemble that of young maidens, but that only proves they aren’t palace maids or palace candidates. They must come from another background.

“I’ve heard that the current empress bears the surname Guo and comes from one of the great clans. That marriage alliance secured the throne for the emperor.”

Yuanqi added, ”I’ve heard that after Emperor Zhidao Dasheng fell into incompetence, the empire nearly collapsed. The Guo clan turned the tide and saved it from the brink of ruin. That made the Guo clan one of the great noble houses, and it has since enjoyed the emperor’s highest regard.”

Yuan Weiyang added, “Without the Guo clan’s endorsement, the emperor couldn’t keep his throne.”

As they continued, they encountered many more striking young men and women, likely Guo clan disciples. Mount Jiuyi was so vast that the Jinwu Guard could only seal off a few treacherous paths leading up the mountain. The rest remained open for all to visit and admire.

Before long, they reached the mountain’s midsection when Yuan Weiyang suddenly exclaimed, “Is that another Mount Jiuyi over there?”

Xu Ying stepped closer to his side and looked into the distance. Amid the sea of clouds stood yet another Mount Jiuyi. At first glance, it looked almost identical to the one they were standing on.

“There’s another Mount Jiuyi!” said Yuan Weiyang as she spotted a third Mount Jiuyi.

The third mountain rose tall and graceful, its scenery ever-changing and magnificent. Clouds and rainbows lingered around its waist, lending it an otherworldly beauty. Yet its overall form was almost identical to the other two mountains!

Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang looked farther into the distance. Through the sea of clouds, they saw mountain after mountain rising proudly into the heavens. Each one looked almost identical to the others.

Yuanqi poked his head out from Xu Ying’s collar and scoffed at the pair’s ignorance. ”Jiuyi means nine mountains that all look alike. That’s what the books say. All nine of those mountains are Mount Jiuyi.”

Dazhong’s voice echoed in the air. “Do the books mention anything about these nine mountains being so high and so grand?”

Yuanqi fell silent. The books made no mention of that. The nine mountains towered above any mountain that had ever existed in the world!

Suddenly, a long, melodious cry drifted through the clouds and the mist. Following the sound, Xu Ying looked over and saw a magnificent bird emerge from the mountains. Its plumage shimmered with dazzling brilliance, while its seven-colored tail feathers streamed behind it as it soared between the peaks.

Countless exotic birds flew alongside it in escort. Among them were many divine birds rarely seen in the mortal world, including bifangs, rocs, and peacocks.

Closest to the magnificent bird were three qingluan.

The three Qingluan were enormous. With their wings spread wide, they looked like clouds in the sky. A glowing pearl floated above each of their heads, hanging in midair and shining brightly. They surrounded the magnificent bird and escorted it toward the mountain peak.

“A phoenix!” Yuan Weiyang exclaimed in astonishment. “There’s a phoenix nesting in the mountains! Let’s go and comprehend the Dao manifestation of the phoenix!”

Xu Ying was equally excited and sprinted toward the summit alongside her. The phoenix, accompanied by hundreds of birds, soared through the sky, heading straight for the mountain they were on. Others throughout the mountains had also witnessed the spectacle and rushed toward the summit.

”Such a phenomenon only appears once a millennium! Hurry and comprehend it! You might be able to cultivate an extraordinary Radiant Vestige!”

”A phoenix only lands near treasure! There must be a rare treasure on the mountain!”

Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang quickened their pace and raced toward the summit.

Though Mount Jiuyi towered high into the sky, it still had a peak. When Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang finally reached the summit, they saw a parasol tree growing beside a cliff. Divine birds of every kind circled overhead. Occasionally, one would land on a branch, rest briefly, and then take flight again!

The parasol tree stood majestically, as though another peak had sprung from the mountain itself!

Xu Ying felt his spirits soar and exclaimed, ”Observing the Dao manifestations of these divine birds here is a rare opportunity. If one could fully grasp their mysteries, one could likely create a cultivation technique on par with the Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirits Radiant Vestige of the Zhou family!”

Standing beneath the parasol tree, Xu Ying looked out into the distance. Below him, countless mountains stretched across the land like black jade and green jade, appearing and disappearing amid the sea of clouds. Few sights in the world could rival such a vast and majestic landscape.

Xu Ying noticed something strange. None of the surrounding peaks rose straight toward the heavens. Instead, every mountain leaned toward Mount Jiuyi without exception.

It was as if the countless mountains were bowing to Mount Jiuyi in unison.

1. An elite imperial military and police force responsible for the capital’s security, patrolling the streets, and enforcing curfews during the Tang and Ming dynasties. ☜