Day of Ascension

“He left the Divine Capital and delivered a final strike to Shi Jingtang’s corpse.”

The major noble clans of the Divine Capital still kept an eye on Xu Ying’s movements, with reports pouring in continuously.

The events of the night had been truly horrifying, forcing the noble clans to reevaluate him.

Previously, they had only viewed this countryside snake catcher as a brat with a good head on his shoulders, a tool that could help them ascend. They had invited him to the capital only to keep him as a servant and have him decipher the immortal books they had collected.

Later, when word spread that Xu Ying was an undying person, he changed from a useful servant into an elixir of eternal life in their eyes.

If they had handled him properly, such as carving off his flesh while the Zhou clan’s Exorcists continuously healed him, they could have produced an endless supply of elixirs of eternal life.

Everyone could have a piece of him!

Now, however, Xu Ying looked different to them.

This tool meant to help them ascend, this humanoid elixir of eternal life, had grown a full set of sharp fangs!

Although the Shi clan had only recently risen to prominence, they were still a noble clan with Exorcist Immortal Shi Mole overseeing them. Yet, in a single night, he was unexpectedly severely injured, followed by Xu Ying storming their residence, dragging him out and “burning him to death” in public!

Although evil had devoured Shi Mole, the people of the Divine Capital believed Xu Ying had burned him to death.

If the noble clans still harbored ill intentions toward him, they had to consider whether the risk was worth it.

Xu Ying’s means struck fear into their hearts.

Yuan Qi revealed his true form, turning into a giant snake over twenty zhang long, and left the Divine Capital. Xu Ying and Zhu Chanchan sat on his head, while she worked hard to cultivate and refine the immortal herbs inside her.

She had been hiding outside Tushita Palace for over six thousand years, stealing immortal herbs. She had turned into a living herb, filling the air with an exotic fragrance, especially when refining immortal herbs, making one’s mouth water.

Let alone heavenly demons, even Xu Ying wanted to pull this girl into his arms and take a few bites to satisfy his craving.

Dazhong also felt Zhu Chanchan’s allure and whispered, “Ah Ying, this girl would truly attract heavenly demons. Even I feel that if I refined her into myself, my power would increase tremendously!”

Xu Ying channeled the Heart-Returning technique Pei Du had taught him to suppress his urge to grab the girl and devour her. “Before any heavenly demons can find us on this journey, she’s already about to turn us into heavenly demons. I wonder where Xiao Fengxian has gone?”

He was in such a hurry to leave the Divine Capital because Zhu Chanchan’s allure was simply too great. She was an immortal herb in human form; she would surely attract heavenly demons to her. As her “Dao protector,” Xu Ying definitely couldn’t deal with heavenly demons, but Feng Xian’er could.

Feng Xian’er was a phoenix, the natural nemesis of heavenly demons and heavenly gods. So, Xu Ying thought of bringing Zhu Chanchan to find her.

“Brother Xu!”

A familiar voice rang out. Xu Ying looked in the direction and saw that Yuan Weiyang and Uncle Xiao had exited the Divine Capital at some point to see them off.

Xu Ying had Yuanqi stop. Yuan Weiyang and Uncle Xiao got on the snake’s back and made their way up to his head. Once they were settled, Yuan Qi resumed slithering forward at a much slower pace.

Yuan Weiyang sniffed the air and exclaimed in surprise, “So fragrant!” She turned and looked at Zhu Chanchan in astonishment.

Deeply moved, Xu Ying said, “Brother Yuan, I have enemies everywhere, yet you still dare to come out to send me off. I don’t know how to thank you.”

Yuan Weiyang replied solemnly, “You came to the Divine Capital to see me, yet encountered so many ambushes. Our Yuan clan failed to protect our guests. Now that you’re leaving, how could I not come to see you off?”

Thinking of someone else, Xu Ying asked, “Is Sister Rushi doing well?”

A faint smile appeared on Yuan Weiyang’s face; as Uncle Xiao coughed dryly behind her, her smile instantly vanished.

She said expressionlessly, “My younger sister is mischievous and stubborn. Mother has ordered her to stay home and practice embroidery. She isn’t allowed to leave the house. Brother Xu, I came to see you off, yet the first thing you did was ask about my younger sister. That’s rather rude.”

Uncle Xiao nodded lightly. She responded well.

A trace of regret rose in Xu Ying’s heart. “I’ve often found myself thinking about Sister Rushi lately.”

Yuan Weiyang’s face turned solemn. “My younger sister is still unmarried and has not been betrothed. You must not harbor improper thoughts about her.”

The moment she said that, Xu Ying began harboring improper thoughts.

However, while his relationship with Yuan Rushi was purely romantic, he regarded Yuan Weiyang as a kindred spirit. Sitting atop Yuan Qi’s head, the two resumed discussing the Dao of cultivation and exchanged insights.

Xu Ying explained his revised version of the Crimson Palace Crescent Furnace Art. Since it was a closely guarded secret of the Guo clan, he shared only its circulation method and withheld the core principles of the cultivation technique.

He said, “I suspect evil beings are lurking in the shadows, like the Mud-Pill Palace Master. The exorcism arts they taught always contained deliberate flaws. Brother Yuan, you possess outstanding talent. You’re also more intelligent and meticulous than I am.

“If you use this as a reference, you may be able to improve the Yuan clan’s method of refining immortal herbs, extend Ancestor Yuan Wuji’s lifespan, and spare him misfortune in his twilight years.”

Even Uncle Xiao was visibly moved. This gift was truly too precious.

A strange emotion flickered in Yuan Weiyang’s eyes.

She composed herself and put away the remnant scripture. “Demon King Xu, I will never forget the kindness you have shown to our clan. Though our clan has declined, we always pay our debts. I know you haven’t unlocked your Yellow-Court Secret Trove yet, which has limited the growth of your divine sense.”

She took a golden book from her bosom, tore out the first two pages, and handed them to him.

Uncle Xiao’s expression immediately changed. “Young Master...”

Ignoring him, Yuan Weiyang smiled. “Mother would definitely not agree to me teaching you our Yuan clan’s ancestral legacy, the Primordial Dao Heavenly Domain Resonance. But as the future clan head, I am taking the liberty today to gift you the first half of this manual.”

Uncle Xiao hesitated momentarily but ultimately didn’t stop Yuan Weiyang.

Xu Ying’s gift had been simply too valuable. He was practically their savior. Even the complete technique couldn’t match the weight of his gift.

Xu Ying accepted the remnant script of the Primordial Dao Heavenly Domain Resonance and smiled. “How about this? Let’s compete to see who can comprehend the Yellow-Court Secret Trove’s method to refine immortal herbs first.”

Yuan Weiyang’s eyes lit up as her competitive spirit was aroused. She smiled. “Very well! But would you be interested in a wager?”

Driven by his own youthful spirit, Xu Ying asked, “How do you want to wager?”

A gleam flashed through Yuan Weiyang’s eyes. “I have a younger sister. You’ve seen her. If you can comprehend the method to refine immortal herbs for the Yellow Court before I do, I’ll take charge and betroth Rushi to you.”

Behind her, Uncle Xiao stamped his feet repeatedly in a panic. He cried out, “Oh! Oh! Young Master, how could you do such a thing?”

The continuous stomping made Yuanqi dizzy. He hurriedly said, “Elder, watch your step! You’re about to stomp my brains out.”

Cold sweat broke out on Uncle Xiao’s forehead as his mind spun with anxiety. Who wagers their own marriage? Besides, their statuses don’t match. The old madam would never agree!

Excitement welled up in Xu Ying’s chest, and he burst into laughter. “Very well! It’s a promise! But if I lose, I don’t have a younger sister to betroth you. How about...”

His gaze fell on Zhu Chanchan, who was diligently cultivating. An idea suddenly came to him. “Why don’t I betroth her to you, Brother Yuan?”

Yuan Weiyang smiled. “If you lose, I don’t want your sister. I only need you to do one thing for me. I haven’t decided what it is yet. I’ll tell you once I’ve thought of it.”

Xu Ying was absolutely thrilled and smiled. “You’re bound to lose!”

Yuan Weiyang shook her head. “Not necessarily. I’ll give it my all.”

“So will I!”

Yuan Weiyang jumped down from Yuanqi’s head, waved goodbye, and turned to head back to the Divine Capital. Following behind her, Uncle Xiao kept sighing along the way.

Yuan Weiyang smiled. “Uncle Xiao, don’t tell this to Mother or Great-Grandmother.”

Uncle Xiao sighed again. “Young Master, paper cannot contain fire[1]...”

He meant the old madam would eventually learn of the wager, but Yuan Weiyang was thinking about something else.

“You’re right. I’ll find the right moment to tell him that Yuan Rushi is actually my name, and that I was born a girl!”

Uncle Xiao was completely dumbfounded.

Carrying Xu Ying and Zhu Chanchan on his back, Yuanqi slithered through the mountain ranges, heading toward Mount Song.

The earth shook continuously as new mountains and rivers emerged from the great fissure, pushing Mount Song further and further away.

Suddenly, a terrifying roar echoed through the mountains, freezing everyone who heard it in fear. Xu Ying looked up and saw a massive creature squatting under a large waterfall, surrounded by countless gigantic mutated beasts. None of them seemed any smaller than Yuanqi.

They seemed to be its subjects, prostrating themselves around the giant beast and worshipping it as mortals worshipped a god.

The creature was an unknown beast with long forelegs and short hind legs. Black flames burned around it without scorching the forest. Instead, they floated around it like living patterns.

Its aura carried the presence of a creature that had awakened its archaic bloodline, absolutely terrifying. Yuanqi possessed a similarly ferocious aura, but it was far weaker. Moreover, Yuanqi was also a Qi Cultivator, which helped conceal much of it.

“This is a primeval beast that hasn’t reached maturity,” Dazhong couldn’t help but marvel. He emerged from the back of Xu Ying’s head and said, “Such creatures are natural-born kings. At the same time, They are primeval gods of the wilderness. All creatures worship Them, granting Them unimaginable divine power.”

He clicked his tongue in amazement. “Back during my master’s era, there weren’t so many Beast King-gods. Strange. Where did these guys pop out from?”

The Beast King-god let out a roar. At once, the gigantic beasts surrounding it charged forward. Their target was Zhu Chanchan, who emitted a strange fragrance.

Yuanqi channeled the True Cultivation of Ba Snake and grew to a hundred zhang. He opened his mouth wide, bit down on a huge beast, and whipped his massive frame around, knocking over the swarm of charging beasts!

As a demon race Qi Cultivator, his intelligence far surpassed theirs.

Furious, the Beast King-god lunged at him. Realizing he was no match for it because its aura vastly exceeded his own, Yuanqi hurriedly shouted, “Ah Ying!”

Standing atop Yuanqi’s forehead, Xu Ying activated his stone ax. Immediately, a ferocious might that shook heaven and earth erupted, painting the sky crimson. A streak of ax light fell, and the Beast King-god’s head parted from his neck. His enormous corpse slid forward, only coming to a stop when it reached beneath Yuanqi.

The giant race from the archaic era had forged the stone ax. It had drunk the blood of countless massive beasts, and numerous Beast King-gods had fallen beneath its blade. After absorbing this Beast King-god’s blood, its malevolent qi grew even more intense!

When the ax was activated, the sea of blood it manifested now contained the phantom of another Beast King-god, further amplifying its power.

Monkeys scattered when the tree fell. With the death of this Beast King-god, the other massive beasts fled in panic, vanishing without a trace.

Xu Ying put away the malevolent weapon. Spotting a majestic stone city not far away, he immediately said, “Master Qi, let’s rest there tonight. Drag this Beast King-god over; we’ll have it for dinner tonight.”

Yuanqi voiced his agreement, coiled his tail around the corpse, and made his way toward the stone city.

As they pressed onward, they found themselves flanked by steep, towering peaks. The sheer cliffs looked as though they had been cut and hacked by blades and axes. Bizarre rocks shaped like ghosts protruded out from the cliff faces, looking absolutely terrifying.

The stone city was right at the end of the valley. Its walls stood tall, and its streets were laid out in orderly rows.

Xu Ying looked up and saw two ancient characters inscribed above the city gate.

Diqiu City.[2]

“What a strange name.” Xu Ying withdrew his gaze.

Yuanqi shrank and slithered into the city. As they traveled down the streets, they saw white steam still rising from the bamboo steamers outside a bun shop, while the aroma of wine drifted from nearby taverns.

When they passed a teahouse, they found that the tea left in the cups was still warm.

A peddler’s carrying pole leaned against a street corner. The paper pinwheels attached to it spun rapidly in the wind, yet neither the peddler nor the children who usually chased after him were anywhere to be seen.

There was not a single person in this city!

Let alone humans, there wasn’t even a rat!

The city was eerily quiet!

It was as though every living being in the city had vanished at the same instant, and time had frozen at that exact moment. The food never spoiled, the fires never died out, and the tea never grew cold.

Xu Ying jumped down from the giant snake’s head and lifted the steamer basket at the bun shop. The buns inside were still hot and soft, carrying the aroma of meat and scallions.

He set the buns down and frowned slightly. On the street side were some reddish braised beef, streaked with beef tendons.

The wine in the neighboring tavern was still warm, its aroma blending with the scent of the beef, making one’s mouth water.

Puzzled, Dazhong wondered aloud, “What happened in this city? Where did its people go?”

Yuanqi set down the Beast King-god’s corpse and said, “Ah Ying, there’s food here. Do we still have to prepare dinner?”

Xu Ying shook his head. “We’d better not touch the food here.”

Suddenly, a thunderous tremor rumbled in the distance as the remaining half of the stone city slowly emerged from the fog. It looked as though it had just broken free from a temporal seal and risen directly out of the river of time.

Yet, the inhabitants of the city had vanished without a trace.

Zhu Chanchan awoke from her training. She scanned her surroundings curiously and asked in confusion, “Where is this place?”

She had grown a little taller and now looked about ten years old. She was an adorable girl with an icy purity, though her clothes had become too short.

Zhu Chanchan quickly pulled open Yuanqi’s mouth and went inside to change. She put on Guo Xiaodie’s clothes, but they were too big and hung loosely on her.

“This place is called Diqiu City.” A voice suddenly rang out. Xu Ying looked in the direction, only to see a white-robed elder enter the stone city with quick steps. He had seen that white-robed elder on Mount Wu Wang before; he was with the frowning old man.

Xu Ying’s heart stirred slightly. He’s the white-haired elder whom I saw fight against the Cui clan’s patriarch from the Second Divine Capital! What is he doing here?

The white-haired elder chuckled. “Diqiu City vanished back during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. The entire stone city vanished without a trace, becoming a mystery. I didn’t expect to encounter this mysterious city here!

“Young Friend Xu, a chance meeting is better than an invited one. I didn’t expect to see you again here. We truly share a fated bond.”

He thought, This brat is like a wild rabbit that never stays in its burrow, always running all over the place. It would be a disaster if he got out of my sight. I might as well join them. That way, he won’t be able to slip away!

1. An idiom that means secrets cannot be hidden forever. ☜

2. The ancient name for modern-day Puyang City in Henan Province, which was the capital of the Xia Dynasty and the ancient State of Wei. Diqiu literally translates to ”Mound of the Emperors.” It is legendary for being the home and burial place of Zhuanxu, one of the Five Mythological Emperors. ☜