Day of Ascension

“The First Emperor is truly domineering!”

Upon hearing the emperor, Dazhong wanted to fly out of Xu Ying’s sea of primordial chaos. But Xu Ying had been using him to smash artifact after artifact, worsening his injuries until he could no longer fly.

Still, Xu Ying praised, “He’s a true legend worth meeting.”

Since the sacrifice had stopped, Xu Ying and Yuanqi’s Secret Troves were no longer in danger. Xu Ying also wanted to see what the First Emperor, Ancestral Dragon, looked like.

The voice he had just heard felt strangely familiar, as though he had heard it somewhere before, and more than once. Yet reason told him this was the perfect chance to get away from Xu Fu.

If he didn’t leave now, escaping later would be far more difficult.

As Xu Ying and Yuanqi charged toward the entrance of Mount Li’s grand tomb one after the other, Xu Fu’s voice echoed from behind them.

“Your Majesty, your humble servant has returned from the search for immortal herbs overseas with the Ageless Immortal. Moments ago, I used the immortal herbs to awaken Your Majesty.”

“So, this is the immortal herb? I can sense it.”

Hearing this voice, Xu Ying leaped onto Yuanqi’s neck, turned around, and activated his Third Eye to look into the distance.

Yuanqi had already swallowed too many artifact fragments and was struggling to move. With Xu Ying on his back, it became even harder. Fortunately, he had opened his Mud-Pill, Yellow-Court, Jade-Pool, and Crimson-Palace Secret Troves. His physique, strength, and recovery were all far greater than before.

He kept rushing toward the tomb entrance while Xu Ying strained to look toward the seven rosy lights of ascension. Even with his Third Eye, he could only make out the faintest outline from that distance.

He saw that the golden coffin was already open. A figure floated amid the seven rosy lights of ascension as the residual power of the immortal herbs, stirred up by the grand ritual, poured into it.

“The immortal herbs you found are excellent. Where’s my Ageless Immortal? Is he not dead?”

Gazing from afar, Xu Ying suddenly felt an incredibly piercing stare lock onto him.

Xu Ying tensed up and called out, “Master Qi, hurry!”

The overwhelming pressure hadn’t come from Xu Fu, but from Ancestral Dragon. A chill ran through him, and his hair stood on end. If he did not leave at once, he felt certain he would die here. In one of my past lives, the Ancestral Dragon must have persecuted me!

Those memories had not yet awakened. Yet the moment Xu Ying heard Ancestral Dragon’s voice and faced him, his hair stood on end. He felt certain he must have suffered greatly at Ancestral Dragon’s hands.

Aside from him, many other Qi Cultivators and Exorcists were also fleeing outward. Many had been injured during the grand ritual. Their grotto heavens were tattered, and their cultivation had weakened drastically.

Yuanqi had slowed significantly after devouring so many artifact fragments. Seeing this, Xu Ying immediately used his vital energy to lift him.

Yuanqi’s speed increased greatly in an instant, making him rejoice. I save so much strength when Ah Ying lifts me up. Wait a minute, am I an artifact? Why am I being activated like one?

He was bewildered.

Xu Ying was the first to rush out of the grand tomb. Just as he stepped outside, a familiar voice rang out behind him.

“Demon King Xu, have you been well?”

Xu Ying’s heart jolted violently. He turned around and saw Yuan Weiyang rushing out of the grand tomb with several women of the Yuan clan. Madam Yuan followed close behind, supporting Old Grand Madam Yuan, while Uncle Xiao, dressed in his usual green robes, stayed at Yuan Weiyang’s side.

Although they seemed somewhat disheveled, they were mostly fine.

Xu Ying quickly slid down from Yuanqi’s head and took a few quick steps to Yuan Weiyang’s side. He held her left hand and whispered, “I’ve missed you so much these days, and the rouge on your lips...”

Yuanqi stared in dumbfounded shock, his jaw hanging open. Sitting inside his mouth, Zhu Chanchan pushed upward on his jaw to pry it a little wider. Her legs dangled from the snake’s mouth as she propped up her cheeks with both hands and watched the scene with keen interest.

Xiao Fengxian, Hua Qianchen, and the others also rushed out of the grand tomb. They also stared at the scene in shock. The other Qi Cultivators poured out after them in terrible condition.

Seeing the scene, they assumed that the Qi Cultivators and Exorcists were about to come to blows and frantically summoned what little strength they had left to activate their artifacts.

Hua Qianchen raised her hand to stop them. She whispered, “It’s not what you think! The Ageless Immortal just grabbed a young master’s hand...”

She frowned, unsure how to continue.

Inside Xu Ying’s mind, Dazhong was overjoyed. He laughed so hard that he produced clanking noises like a broken artifact.

Uncle Xiao’s expression darkened as he stared at Xu Ying’s hand.

Madam Yuan and Old Grand-Madam Yuan were also staring at Xu Ying’s hand. The corner of Madam Yuan’s mouth twitched, but she said nothing, while Old Grand-Madam Yuan’s phoenix-headed walking stick creaked under the force of her grip.

Yuan Weiyang was also panicking inside. He realized I’m a girl? He looked clueless, but he actually knew I was Yuan Rushi all this time? Then when he kept kissing me and tried to unfasten my robes...

She flushed red with embarrassment, no longer able to maintain her act as Young Master Weiyang. Losing her composure, she said softly, “I-I’ll introduce you to my elders.”

The dignified bearing of Young Master Yuan Weiyang vanished, replaced by the air of a maiden. Still holding Xu Ying’s hand, she walked toward Madam Yuan and Old Grand Madam Yuan.

“Mother...”

Madam Yuan’s gaze darkened. Yuan Weiyang’s hand trembled, and she let go of Xu Ying’s hand. She recovered her facade as Young Master Weiyang, casting aside all emotions and desires. “Mother, Grand-Madam, this is Xu Ying. You’ve met him.”

Wearing a smile, Madam Yuan nodded lightly. “When you stayed briefly with our Yuan clan last time, we failed in our duties as hosts. I’ve felt uneasy about it ever since.”

Xu Ying smiled. “Greetings, Madam, Grand-Madam.”

The two women nodded and led Yuan Weiyang away. Her expression returned to its usual aloofness as she told Xu Ying, “Mister Xu, this is where we part.”

Suddenly, another figure flew out of Mount Li’s grand tomb. From afar, his laughter echoed. “The Ageless Immortal has graced us with his presence. How can we part ways so easily?”

The figure landed. He looked tall and handsome; though advanced in years, he remained vigorous and full of life. He was clearly Yuan Wuji, the Yuan clan’s last surviving Exorcist Immortal.

Earlier, Yuan Wuji had fought a golden statue alone and left Xu Ying awestruck. His clash with Xu Fu had been even more astonishing.

Xu Ying stepped forward. “This lacking junior greets Old Ancestor Yuan.”

Yuan Wuji hurriedly bowed and stepped forward to support him. He smiled. “Please, don’t do this! You are the Ageless Immortal. Even the newly resurrected First Emperor must address you as Senior. How could you bow to me as a junior? You’re killing me here[1]!”

Xu Ying straightened his back.

Yuan Wuji laughed heartily. “A chance meeting is better than an invitation. The last time you came, I couldn’t meet you because I wasn’t in the Divine Capital. Since we’ve crossed paths today, I must host you properly! Weiyang, I sustained some injuries just now. Help me attend to the Ageless Immortal first.”

Yuan Weiyang voiced her compliance and came to Xu Ying’s side. “This way, please, Young Master Xu.”

Xu Ying felt that she had grown colder to him.

Although the Yuan clan was a declining ancient noble clan, its foundations still ran deep enough to keep it from falling into complete ruin by Yuan Wuji’s generation. He activated a treasure carriage and summoned two dragon-sparrows that had attained godhood through worship. Noble clans often used such gods to pull their carriages.

The carriage interior was spacious; once Yuanqi was stuffed inside, everyone else had to remain outside. Even Yuan Wuji could only sit on the carriage shaft and circulate energy with his cultivation method to heal his injuries.

Madam Yuan and Old Grand-Madam Yuan were frail and couldn’t endure the chilling wind, so they had Yuanqi make room and squeezed inside.

Xu Ying’s group was too large to fit, so they gathered on Yuanqi’s head and sat there, exposed to the elements.

When Hua Qianchen and the others saw this, they all stepped forward, intending to stop the Yuan clan from taking Xu Ying away. Feng Xian’er hurriedly spread her phoenix wings to block them.

She said, “None of us is a match for that elder. Attacking him would be no different from throwing our lives away! Let’s wait for Old Ancestor Xu Fu to return before deciding on our next course of action!”

On the carriage, Zhu Chanchan watched Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang with wide eyes. One was trying to act normal, while the other kept opening his mouth as if he wanted to speak.

Xu Ying broke the silence. “I lost my memories after parting ways in the Divine Capital. I can’t recall many things, but I do remember some things about you.”

Yuan Weiyang smiled. “Do you still remember our wager?”

Xu Ying shook his head after a moment of thought.

“Our wager is this: if you restored the missing portions of the Primordial Dao Heavenly Domain Resonance, I would promise my sister Rushi to you in marriage. But if I restored the cultivation method first, you would owe me a favor.

“I’ve already restored the missing portions. When I practice it, I can refine the immortal herbs from the Yellow-Court Secret Trove. What about you?”

Xu Ying shook his head. “I lost my memory three months ago and don’t remember this wager. I lost, and I don’t like your sister.”

Yuan Weiyang felt a chill in her heart.

Suddenly, Xu Ying grabbed her hands, his eyes blazing with passion. “The one I like is you! I liked it when you grabbed my hand and ran through the streets and alleys. I liked it when you showed me the incense postal road. I like lying beside you and looking at the sky together. I also like it when you lean close and let me smell the rouge on your face.”

Yuan Weiyang’s mind fell into chaos. She blurted in panic, “You’ve remembered wrongly, Demon King Xu. That’s my sister!”

Xu Ying kept his grip on her hands tight and smiled. “I remember it was you. We picked locust blossoms together on the great locust tree and caught dragon-loaches together.”

Her face turned bright red. She said softly, “Let go, let go of my hands first! The one you’re speaking of is really my sister, not me...”

Sitting nearby, Zhu Chanchan’s eyes narrowed into crescent smiles without a word. This is bad. This is really bad. The Demon-Suppressing Runes have sealed Ah Ying’s memories from this lifetime. He’s even mistaking the girl he likes. That bell and that snake are so wicked; they didn’t even remind him just so they could watch this unfold.

Suddenly, she jumped up to her feet and went behind Yuan Weiyang with a grin. “Look at you, two grown men holding hands like that. Just do this!”

She grabbed Yuan Weiyang from behind, placed both hands on her chest, and laughed. “Just one squeeze and you’ll know he’s a ma—huh?”

A look of utter confusion spread across Zhu Chanchan’s face. She squeezed again and muttered, “What’s going on? Why...”

She let go and squeezed her own chest. “So soft, they’re about the same size.”

She walked away in a daze.

Dazhong, who had still been clanking with laughter, abruptly fell silent and stared in confusion. “What?”

The giant snake had been stifling his laughter, not daring to make a sound. Now he was just as baffled.

Yuan Weiyang struggled free from Xu Ying’s grip, adjusted her attire, which Zhu Chanchan had messed up, and said seriously, “You two need to stop acting inappropriately. If you keep this up, we’ll be through as friends.”

Xu Ying quickly sat up straight. “You are right to lecture me. I’m usually not this inappropriate. My memories are probably in a mess right now, and I need some time to sort my head out.”

Yuan Weiyang secretly sighed in relief and smiled. “After I figured out the way to improve the Primordial Dao Heavenly Domain Resonance, I tried practicing it and confirmed that it could refine the Yellow Court’s immortal herbs.

“So, I passed on the technique to my ancestor. Now he’s refined the immortal herbs and is no longer in danger of being devoured. He wasn’t affected by the blood sacrifice either and could confront that scar-faced man.”

Xu Ying was visibly shaken. “Old Ancestor Wuji is so strong that he can clash with Xu Fu head-on?”

Yuan Weiyang didn’t understand why he was so surprised, but Xu Ying had witnessed Xu Fu’s heaven-defying combat prowess firsthand.

In the Huotong Grotto Heaven, Xu Fu used his True Fire of Samadhi to burn away the evil flesh and blood left behind by the ancient Qi Cultivators after their deaths. In the grand tomb of Mount Li, he had suppressed the golden statues the moment they came to life, leaving them unable to fully awaken.

The evil god worm inside the mercury river was completely powerless to resist his immortal physique, strength, and fire, and was burned to ash.

When he fought those Exorcist Immortals atop Fangzhang Immortal Mountain, Xu Ying could not see clearly across the vast distance, yet he still saw Xu Fu eliminate them in an instant without needing a second move.

Yet, Yuan Wuji could rival Xu Fu simply by refining the immortal herbs within him?

“My ancestor has also deciphered an ancient Qi cultivation technique that led straight to ascension, called the Yellow Court Dao Attainment Technique.”

Yuan Weiyang smiled. “He used the Yellow Court Dao Attainment Technique as the foundation and dual-cultivated Qi and Exorcism to reach his current achievements.”

Xu Ying came to a realization and smiled. “No wonder.”

He turned his gaze toward Yuan Wuji, who sat on the carriage shaft, healing his injuries.

Dazhong’s voice echoed in his mind, “Ah Ying, Yuan Wuji’s current cultivation and strength must be on par with Zhou Qiyun before his ascension. However, I estimate that Xu Fu’s strength far surpasses Zhou Qiyun’s.”

Xu Ying said nothing.

When standing atop Fangzhang Immortal Mountain, Xu Fu was a true immortal. The fact that Yuan Wuji had fought him to a draw confused Xu Ying.

Yuan Wuji seemed to sense his gaze. He looked up at Xu Ying, smiled faintly, and gave him a slight nod.

Xu Ying bowed slightly and whispered, “Master Zhong, speak openly in front of him; don’t use your divine sense. The Yellow Court contains immortal herbs for the divine sense. Using it in front of him is like showing off before a master. You can’t hide anything from him.”

Dazhong felt a chill. “You mean, he heard what I said?”

Xu Ying nodded.

Startled, Dazhong hurriedly flew up from the sea of primordial chaos and went to Xu Ying’s ethereal void. He flew past the mystic gateway, scaled the Heavenly Mountain, and arrived at Xu Ying’s fourth heaven.

In the skies above this heaven, water and fire clashed, churning endlessly. Xu Ying had been stuck at this pass, unable to advance.

If he could project his divine sense and soul into the water and fire, channel the True Fire of Samadhi and Divine Water of Samadhi to refine his Golden Core in the cauldron, he would become an expert among Qi Cultivators!

Dazhong met up with Xu Ying’s soul and divine sense and wrote on the ground in a crooked manner.

“If he could fight Xu Fu to a draw, then his strength far surpasses Zhou Qiyun before he faced his tribulation! Xu Fu could ignore my tolls when I was at my peak and grab my loop; that’s something Zhou Qiyun probably couldn’t do! He might be able to injure me, but it definitely won’t be as effortless as Xu Fu.”

Xu Ying also wrote on the ground. “Zhou Qiyun once said that Yuan Wuji suffered defeat at his hands. So, what was the reason for Yuan Wuji’s significant progress?”

The two fell silent. Several ominous guesses came to their minds.

Xu Ying asked, “Could he really have surpassed Zhou Qiyun in just six months and reached Xu Fu’s level?”

Dazhong replied, “If that’s impossible, then is Yuan Wuji still Yuan Wuji?”

1. Chinese superstition. Accepting a respectful bow or honor from someone of vastly superior social status will bring bad karma or literally shorten the receiver’s lifespan because they cannot bear such immense fortune. ☜