Day of Ascension

Xu Ying pondered for a moment. “Your cultivation technique is the amalgamation of too many different systems: two Secret Troves of the Exorcist system, the Underworld Court’s worship-based godhood, and the lost Qi cultivation techniques. You failed to unify them, and that’s where the problems began.

“The greatest problem lies with the Qi cultivation techniques. You don’t understand them, yet you practice them forcibly. The flaws have long since surfaced, but your pride keeps you from facing them. Instead, they’ve only grown worse. Am I wrong?”

Emperor Shengshen’s majesty radiated, domineering and gloomy, as he stared at Xu Ying without a word.

With a calm expression, Xu Ying said, “Your Majesty’s gaze could kill. Looking at me like this terrifies me.”

Unable to hold it in any longer, Emperor Shengshen shot divine light from his eyes with two slicing sounds. The twin streaks flew over Xu Ying’s head and cut a bronze pillar, as thick as a bucket, into three sections.

A large section of the hall’s roof was also sent flying. The cut glowed crimson and looked perfectly smooth.

Xu Ying didn’t flinch, showing no signs of fear. “Your Majesty, did you see how the people of Yongzhou Prefecture live during your travels?”

Seeing him change the topic, Emperor Shengshen thought Xu Ying was giving him a way out. He seized the opportunity. He said with a soft expression, “I am pained to see Yongzhou Prefecture suffering from disaster. I have already ordered Prefect Zhou Heng to provide relief and save the people from their misery.”

Looking disappointed, Xu Ying said, “Before the underworld invaded, the people of Yongzhou were already suffering from the officials’ oppression.

“In Jiangjiatian Village alone, some were driven to sell their children, others hanged themselves in their homes, many starved or worked to death by the roadside, and many more were thrown into prison, subsequently beaten to death. My adoptive father and grandfather went to catch snakes and never returned, both dying from snakebites.”

Emperor Shengshen frowned.

In the past, whenever he frowned, the officials would read his expression and immediately fall silent, preserving his dignity.

However, Xu Ying continued without restraint. “When I entered the hall earlier, I picked up the scent of herbs. Among them was the distinctive smell of strange snakes preserved in wax. Only today did I realize that we snake catchers risk our lives so Your Majesty can refine pills.

“I suppose the powers within Your Majesty are clashing because you unlocked both the Jade-Capital and Crimson-Palace Secret Troves, making your limbs spasm. That is why you need these strange snakes for treatment. Heh, it turns out my adoptive father and grandfather died because of Your Majesty.”

Emperor Shengshen said unhurriedly, “The people of Yongzhou truly live such miserable lives? I was unaware. The prefect of Yongzhou, Zhou Heng, is a descendant of the Zhou clan. He has failed in his duties, yet I cannot punish the Zhou clan or eliminate Zhou Qiyun. What can I possibly do?”

Xu Ying ignored his words. “With Yongzhou struck by disaster and new lands emerging, many villages have become isolated within the mountains. I do not know whether it’s a blessing or a curse.

“Though they are trapped in the new lands and haunted by ghosts from the underworld, the treacherous roads keep the officials from collecting taxes. Perhaps their lives have actually improved.”

Emperor Shengshen fell silent for a moment, then sighed. “This is the problem with noble clans ruling the world! My imperial decrees cannot reach the counties! When I order disaster relief, tax exemption, suspension of forced labor, all of it gets twisted at the lower levels. I have my own grievances!

Xu Ying looked at him. A moment later, he said, “If you can’t do the job, then step down and let someone who can. Why occupy the toilet if you’re not going to shit?”

Emperor Shengshen’s expression remained indifferent, but the iridescent clouds above his head turned dark, and thunder cracked wildly within them.

He was enraged.

Xu Ying smiled freely. “Your Majesty, I understand. After all, the top is fine. Only the bottom, the roots, are rotten. What problems have you encountered with your cultivation technique?”

Emperor Shengshen snorted coldly. “Even if Zhou Qiyun holds you in high regard, within ten paces in this hall, if I want you dead, not even ten Zhou Qiyun combined can save you!”

Xu Ying bowed. “Your Majesty, I am but a commoner, while you are the sovereign. Why lower yourself to the fury of a common man?”

Emperor Shengshen suppressed his surging vital energy and exhaled a breath of turbid air. “You were born in Yongzhou Prefecture and had lived a harsh life. It’s only normal that you harbor some resentment. I will not hold it against you. Zhou Qiyun has the magnanimity to tolerate others, and so do I.”

He retrieved a golden book. Such golden books were a common method used by ancient Qi Cultivators to record cultivation techniques. They were made from pieces of golden paper, each as thin as a cicada’s wings. Once activated with the divine sense, it hovered in the air, projecting words and illustrations.

The illustrations often depicted Manifestations of the Great Dao—Dao avatars meticulously recorded by ancient Qi Cultivators. Comprehending them would aid one’s cultivation.

The cultivation technique recorded in Emperor Shengshen’s golden book was known as the Nine Heavens Mystic Altar Technique. It contained a cultivation technique and an alchemy technique for refining the Yang Spirit Nine Revolutions Profound Pill.

It also included Dao diagrams of a golden crow and the nine heavens, both of which were exceedingly profound.

Xu Ying skimmed through the book and quickly grasped its contents. The Nine Heavens Yang Spirit Mystic Altar Technique followed the path of pure yang. It refined pure yang primordial qi and tempered the pure yang soul. The pill recipe in the book mentioned that the profound pill would undergo nine revolutions, each revolution ascending a layer of heaven. With nine revolutions, it would forge a pure Yang Primordial Spirit.

Xu Ying pondered and murmured, “Nine heavens yang spirit. There are no major flaws in the cultivation technique. One should be able to cultivate according to its instructions.

“So, Emperor Shengshen misunderstood part of it, causing him to harvest the yang qi of both humans and ghosts. Did he mistake pure yang for yang qi?”

Xu Ying was no longer the same ignorant youth in the past. He had gained an understanding of the arts of exorcism and knew that its techniques had no concept of pure yang.

If Emperor Shengshen had truly interpreted pure yang as yang qi, he would indeed have made the blunder of cultivating with yang qi.

Moreover, he had unlocked his Crimson-Palace Secret Trove. His inner fire blazed fiercely. If he then consumed spirit elixirs refined from yang qi in large quantities, he would inevitably become increasingly irritable and restless.

That was only one error: his misunderstanding of pure yang. There were likely other flaws in his interpretation of the cultivation technique. As they accumulated, they had become a life-threatening problem.

The emperor is far less cautious than Zhou Qiyun and too impatient and eager for results. If he continues to cultivate like this, he’ll meet his end in just a few years. True fire will rise from his ventricles and start burning, consuming him and leaving only his skin, clothes, and hair.

Realizing where the problem lay, Xu Ying said, “Your Majesty, ever since you unlocked your second Secret Trove, have you felt the two energies clashing within you?”

Emperor Shengshen replied, “When I channel my cultivation techniques, I have noticed energies from the two Secret Troves constantly assaulting me. Though my cultivation continued to rise, my condition has been getting worse.”

Xu Ying nodded.

On the one hand, Emperor Shengshen had misunderstood the Nine Heavens Yang Spirit Mystic Altar Technique. On the other hand, the technique could not unify the Crimson Palace and the Jade Capital, making their energies clash with his mystical power.

Furthermore, he had absorbed incense from the mortal realm, gaining incense qi and making it even more difficult to harmonize those energies.

Emperor Shengshen was indeed powerful enough to rival Zhou Qiyun. However, the hidden dangers within him were far more severe than Zhou Qiyun’s.

“Your Majesty, I can decipher the Nine Heavens Yang Spirit, ensuring that you won’t risk entering qi deviation during cultivation or suffer from restlessness. I can also regulate the imbalance among your various energies and resolve these hidden dangers.”

Xu Ying raised his head and looked directly at Emperor Shengshen. “Your Majesty, in return, I need one thing.”

Emperor Shengshen’s expression flickered. “Is it to govern the realm, reform the bureaucracy, and stabilize the people’s livelihoods so they can live and work in peace?”

Xu Ying shook his head. “If Your Majesty were capable of doing those things, you would have accomplished them during your reign. Why would you need a commoner like me to remind you? I only need Your Majesty to do one thing within your power.”

Emperor Shengshen burst out laughing and shouted, “If I were to master Qi cultivation technique and gain eternal life, coexisting with the world, reforming the noble clans, keeping them in check, and governing the people would be easy.

“Don’t underestimate me, my loyal subject! I may not have been capable before, but I will be after attaining eternal life!”

Xu Ying stirred slightly inside, and he looked at the emperor. Would Emperor Shengshen really be a good emperor?

Though he thought that, he still voiced his wish, saying, “Your Majesty, I hope you will help me and Yuan Weiyang break free from Zhou Qiyun’s clutches.”

Emperor Shengshen smiled faintly. “I shall grant it.”

Xu Ying bowed. “I also wish to obtain the Dragon Tracking Technique for the Jade-Capital Secret Trove.”

The corner of Emperor Shengshen’s eye twitched slightly, but his face remained full of smiles. “Although this request goes against my ancestral rules, I shall take charge and grant it as well!”

Xu Ying breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “Please wait a few days, and I will decipher the Nine Heavens Yang Spirit.”

Emperor Shengshen’s gaze softened as he looked at Xu Ying. “My loyal subject Xu, I hope you won’t betray my sincere trust in you. When I gain eternal life, I will grant your requests and allow you to govern the realm’s affairs! You will be a meritorious official second only to me and above all others!”

Somewhat moved by the emperor’s words, Xu Ying put away the Nine Heavens Yang Spirit Mystic Altar Technique. “I have no thoughts of becoming an official. Please forgive me. I shall take my leave. Oh, right!”

Xu Ying suddenly remembered something just as he was about to exit the hall. He turned around and smiled. “Your Majesty, you summoned Lord Liu Zongyuan of Yongzhou to the capital at the beginning of the year. Has he been entrusted with important duties?”

Emperor Shengshen shook his head. “I regarded him as a pillar of the state and summoned him for a private audience. Yet all he spoke about were political reforms and changes to the law. I have no interest in such empty rhetoric, so I reassigned him to Liuzhou. Do you know him? If you wish, I can have him recalled.”

Xu Ying shook his head with a smile. “He’s an official. How could I have a history with him? We’ve merely crossed paths a few times.”

He turned to leave.

Emperor Shengshen smiled. “I’ll have Eunuch Chen see you out. Eunuch Chen, escort my loyal subject Xu out.”

“I shall obey.”

Eunuch Chen came to Xu Ying’s side and bowed with a smile. “Lord Xu, please.”

Xu Ying shook his head. “No need to call me lord, Eunuch Chen. I’m just a fourteen-year-old boy who knows nothing of the world.”

As they walked outside, Xu Ying noticed some fruit trees outside the hall. They were already bearing fruit, and their sweet fragrance drifted through the night air. However, the darkness made it impossible to identify the trees.

Staring at the tree, he asked, “Eunuch Chen, what fruit is growing there?”

“Spring peach. They’re in season right now and taste very sweet. Would you like to try one, Lord Xu?”

Xu Ying reached out and plucked one. He brought it to his nose and sniffed it. The sweetness reminded him of the beautiful madam’s scent, making him inexplicably restless.

He tore it open, took a look, and lost all interest. He casually tossed it aside. “It’s already rotten to the core.”

Eunuch Chen hurriedly plucked one, wiped the fuzz with his sleeve, and offered it to Xu Ying fawningly with a smile.

“Lord Xu, try this!”

Xu Ying shook his head. “I’ve lost my appetite. By the way, Eunuch Chen, don’t let word spread that His Majesty is practicing demonic arts.”

Eunuch Chen’s hand trembled with fear, nearly losing his grip on the peach.

Xu Ying made his way toward the parasol tree on the mountain, murmuring to himself, “Now, His Majesty is absorbing yang qi to cultivate. Once he achieves slight success in his demonic arts, he would devour people to cultivate. At that time, the entire Imperial Palace...”

He shook his head. “Who knows how many people will be eaten?”

Eunuch Chen shuddered. He hurried to catch up and whispered, “Lord Xu, when will His Majesty achieve minor success in his demonic arts?”

Xu Ying shook his head. “I don’t know. Even if I decipher the technique for His Majesty, I can only delay it for a while.”

He said nothing more. Returning to Wutong Palace, he lay down without changing his clothes. Sleep refused to come. A moment later, he was tossing and turning on Feng Xian’er’s bed.

He muttered, “He’s rotten to the core. He’s beyond saving.”

The next day, Xu Ying woke only when the sun was high in the sky. He washed himself and planned to freeload breakfast from the Guo clan. Yuanqi had already gotten up and gone to his morning practice. Dazhong was nowhere to be seen.

Just as Xu Ying stepped out of the palace, he saw Guo Xiaodie standing in front of it, excited. She was covered in bruises from head to toe. Clearly, she had trained through the entire night.

She grabbed Xu Ying’s arm, shaking it excitedly as she exclaimed, “I mastered it!”

Xu Ying asked in confusion, “Why are you bruised like that? Did you not use Cloud-Ladder Heavenly Bound?”

Beaming with excitement, she wiped the blood from her nose and cheered, “If I didn’t dare to let myself fall, I would’ve never mastered the Sword Kinesis Mantra! I’ve finally mastered it!”

Shouting and cheering, she ran off into the distance.

As if enlightened, Xu Ying looked up and saw Yuanqi and Dazhong bathing in the sunlight on a branch.

Master Qi can never seem to master the Sword Kinesis Mantra. Perhaps he’ll master it if I push him off.

He began imagining. A gigantic snake flying with a sword. What a majestic sight it would be.

Meanwhile, Yuanqi was talking to Dazhong.

“What’s the point in practicing now? It’s too slow here. We should go to the Truth-Seeking Supreme Void Grotto Heaven to cultivate. Once Ah Ying’s Dao field opens up, Dao seeds will come pouring in. Our cultivation speed will soar. To refuse such an opportunity right in front of us, Master Zhong, you’ve grown muddle-headed—”

Before he could finish, someone suddenly kicked him off the tree. He let out a long scream as he plummeted.

Startled, Dazhong hurriedly looked over. Xu Ying was retracting his leg and peering down from the tree.

A loud thud echoed from below as a heavy object struck the ground.

“Xiaodie’s method doesn’t work. Master Qi didn’t master it.”

Shaking his head, Xu Ying glanced at Dazhong sideways. “It’s suicide, isn’t it, Master Zhong?”

Dazhong hurriedly said, “His suicide attempt failed! I saw it clearly. He just slipped and fell!”

Nodding lightly, Xu Ying left.

***

At the Truth-Seeking Supreme Void Grotto Heaven, Xu Ying sat atop Yuanqi’s head as he continued practicing the Grand Unity Guiding Method, while Yuanqi continued stealing the Dao seeds.

After a long while, Xu Ying suddenly said, “Brother Yuan, His Majesty summoned me yesterday and asked me to help him decipher a cultivation technique.”

Trembling slightly, Yuan Weiyang said, “You are as good as dead. His Majesty has no tolerance for others! Once you hand over the cultivation technique, you will certainly die!”

Xu Ying’s eyes flickered. “Between Zhou Qiyun and His Majesty, who’s stronger?”

Shaking his head, Yuan Weiyang replied, “Back then, Old Ancestor Zhou was stronger. However, His Majesty is physically strong. His cultivation has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years, and he has the support of the people, with incense forming iridescent clouds. Now, it’s hard to say who is stronger.”

After a momentary pause, she continued, “That day, you trapped Old Ancestor Zhou, Emperor Shengshen, and the heavenly demon inside the Demon Suppression Hall.

“Both Old Ancestor Zhou and Emperor Shengshen emerged with injuries, but those injuries likely didn’t come from the heavenly demon. Even so, there’s no way for us to determine which of them is stronger.”

With a calm expression, Xu Ying said, “We’ll know very soon.”