Day of Ascension

Xu Ying didn’t realize what had just happened. When he came to his senses, he suddenly spotted two immortal roots sneaking out of a headless corpse’s ethereal void, apparently trying to escape.

“Why are there two immortal roots here?”

Without any hesitation, he grabbed one in each hand.

One was a green vine with a rootstock but no tendrils. The other was a tea plant, picked bare. Neither looked remarkable.

The two immortal roots struggled with all their strength, far more violently than the red bean immortal root that had fallen into Xue Ying’an’s hands.

When the red bean immortal root resisted Xue Ying’an, it had mostly been out of disdain. It believed the youth’s cultivation was too meager to be worthy of possessing it. The two immortal roots, however, feared Xu Ying.

With a kind expression, Xu Ying gradually exerted strength in his hands. “If you try to run, I’ll beat you up. Understand?”

The two immortal roots immediately stopped struggling and became docile.

Xue Ying’an clicked his tongue in admiration. “If I had known that immortal roots could be intimidated, I wouldn’t have spent so much effort.”

Yuanqi thought, You’re not the great evil. Why would the spiritual root fear you? You should be offering incense to thank your ancestors because the root didn’t kill you!

Inside Xue Ying’an’s ethereal void, the red bean immortal root in his Jasper Pool whipped the water surface restlessly, seemingly sensing the predicament of the other two immortal roots.

Xu Ying activated his Third Eye to examine the two immortal roots. His eyes lit up, and he reached out to pluck the Origin Dao Essence within them.

He swallowed the essence accumulated by these two immortal roots, immediately triggering the immortal herbs in his Yellow Court and Crimson Palace. His divine sense and strength surged wildly.

A faint, exotic fragrance wafted from Xu Ying as the essence continuously refined his divine sense immortal herb and heart-energy immortal herb.

Exorcism arts are methods for unlocking the six secrets of the human body and drawing upon immortal herbs. Yet the exorcism arts circulating in the world are often not true teachings. They are methods carefully revised to harvest the weak.

An epiphany came to Xu Ying’s mind. The true teachings are methods for refining immortal herbs, and they circulate on a small scale. However, even the true teachings that exist today are inadequate.

They are insufficient to refine the immortal herbs from the six secrets, causing large amounts of immortal herbs to accumulate in the body without being refined. Over time, even if one cultivates to the Ascension Stage or reaches the Exorcist Immortal Realm, one will still become a crop to be harvested.

However, the Origin Dao Essence condensed in the immortal Dao spiritual roots can help Exorcists refine immortal herbs and allow their cultivation to soar by leaps and bounds!

Origin Dao Essence is the key to avoid being harvested like crops!

Xu Ying released the green vine and the tea plant from his grasp and smiled. “You’re lucky to have fallen into my hands. Go on.”

As if relieved from a heavy burden, the two immortal Dao spiritual roots came alive in an instant. A moment ago, they had been withered and listless; now, one plunged into the jade mountain, vanishing, while the other sprinted into the wilderness and disappeared.

Xue Ying’an stared wide-eyed. Zhu Hongyi finally caught up; upon seeing this, she stamped her feet. “Why did you let the immortal herbs go?”

She immediately gave chase, but how could she find the two immortal roots?

Xu Ying explained, “The immortal Dao spiritual roots are useful because of the Origin Dao Essence they had accumulated. We only need to harvest the essence. After harvesting it, of course I’ll release it. When they refine more essence, we can harvest it again.”

He speculated, “These spiritual roots like to take root in places near the Immortal Realm, most likely because spiritual light creatures like them can harvest energy from the realm and turn it into Origin Dao Essence.

“This is the Heavenly Path leading to the Immortal Realm. By letting them grow here, the posterity can come here and also harvest Origin Dao Essence.”

He couldn’t help but drift into fascination. Back then, an entire immortal Dao spiritual root grew in the Taiyi Little Profound Heaven, its spiritual light connected to the Immortal Realm. How majestic could that scene have been?

Unfortunately, the great evil had shattered the real immortal Dao spiritual root.

Zhu Hongyi snapped in frustration, “Our Zhu clan traded numerous lives for the immortal roots! My younger brother and the old immortal died because of them. If you weren’t going to take them, you could have left them for us! Why let them go?”

Xu Ying’s expression darkened. The one he favored most in the Zhu clan was their donkey, then Zhu Hongyi. She only ranked second. Still, if that donkey provoked Xu Ying, he would slaughter it without hesitation.

Xu Ying said indifferently, “I don’t belong to the Zhu clan. I released them, and that’s that. What does it have to do with you?”

A chill ran through Zhu Hongyi’s heart. She quickly softened her tone. “Demon King Xu, I was overcome with anguish seeing my younger brother perish and spoke rashly. Please forgive me.”

Her gaze fell on Zhu Zhongquan’s headless corpse. Tears welled up in an instant, swirling in her eyes. Only then did Xu Ying realize that the headless corpse belonged to Zhu Zhongquan.

Feeling a little sympathy toward her, he said, “Hongyi, your younger brother’s death has nothing to do with me. We barely know each other, and your clan’s affairs don’t concern me. If you wish to exchange insights on exorcism techniques and divine abilities, I’ll naturally welcome it. However, you’d better not think about using me.”

Zhu Hongyi wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. She said softly, “I was rash.”

In truth, she did not have much sisterly affection for Zhu Zhongquan. She merely lamented the old immortal’s death, as they had failed to obtain his teachings on exorcism and Qi cultivation techniques.

However, after receiving Xu Ying’s promise to exchange insights on exorcism techniques and divine abilities, she felt slightly reassured. Compared with the Ageless Immortal, the old immortal is obviously inferior. With his promise, my position in the Zhu clan will rise greatly!

Not daring to waste Xu Ying’s time any further, she bowed slightly. “Our clan has suffered heavy casualties. I cannot keep exploring this place. I must keep myself alive and bring my younger brother and the old immortal’s corpses back.”

Xu Ying nodded lightly.

Without any delay, Zhu Hongyi hurried down the mountain with the two corpses, returning to the stone city.

Xu Ying sent her off with his gaze. “Master Qi, what happened to Zhu Zhongquan? Why did he die here?”

He was unaware that he had clashed with Zhu Huang unconsciously and eliminated Zhu Zhongquan in the process.

Yuanqi recounted his clash with Zhu Huang. Xu Ying stood there speechless for a long moment. “The old immortal possessed Zhu Zhongquan. Killing the old immortal could be considered avenging Zhu Zhongquan.”

Yuanqi and Xue Ying’an paused for a moment and exchanged glances.

Xue Ying’an whispered, “Master Qi, should we tell him that Zhu Zhongquan seemed to have come back to life once the old immortal died, and was then killed by him?”

Yuanqi shook his head. “We better not mention it. Zhu Zhongquan is not a righteous man. It’s good that he died.”

Xue Ying’an voiced his assent. The group continued ascending the mountain in search of more immortal Dao spiritual roots.

Xue Ying’an said, ”My master told me that immortal Dao spiritual roots have two uses. The first is to plant them in your own ethereal void, where they can cleanse your physical body and Primordial Spirit while improving your talent and comprehension.

“The second is to consume them directly to help achieve a breakthrough in your cultivation realm. Brother Xu, it appeared you seized something within the immortal roots when you grabbed them earlier. Are there other uses for immortal roots?”

Xu Ying activated his Third Eye to survey the surroundings. “Both the uses you mentioned are likely the Origin Dao Essence at work. Spiritual light forms the immortal roots. If eating them were useful, the ancient cultivators would’ve long since driven them to extinction.”

Xue Ying’an understood and smiled. “I’m afraid not even my master knows the true use of immortal roots. He only told me to harvest immortal affinity and bring it back.”

Xu Ying reminded him, “Master Zhong told me about the use of Origin Dao Essence. He said that his master once mentioned that the Heavenly Dao World and the Immortal Realm have immortal herbs that contain Origin Dao Essence and that consuming them long-term allows one to become immortal.”

Xue Ying’an’s heart skipped a beat, and he fell silent.

Master Zhong’s master was also Xue Ying’an’s teacher, Li Xiaoke.

Since Li Xiaoke knew that the Origin Dao Essence within the roots was what truly produced their effects, why did he still want Xue Ying’an to bring back the immortal roots to Jiucailing Ridge?

Xue Ying’an’s nose turned sour, and sadness welled up in his heart.

Xu Ying said, “The Heavenly Dao Divine Artifact can pull the stone city and ferry us to the Taiyi Little Profound Heaven. But Li Xiaoke is too powerful, and the artifact cannot bring him here.”

Xue Ying’an remained silent.

Xu Ying added, “He needed a disciple to help him harvest immortal roots. You’re the first disciple he’d chosen. Regardless of your success, he’ll send another disciple here next month.”

Xue Ying’an forced a smile. “Brother Xu, these are all your speculations. My master is a very good person...”

Xu Ying smiled. “I didn’t say he was a bad person. However, the biggest use of Origin Dao Essence isn’t to consume it long-term to become immortal. It’s to refine the immortal herbs of the six secrets.

“Li Xiaoke views himself as an orthodox Qi Cultivator, so he never unlocked his six secrets. Naturally, he shouldn’t have any immortal herbs of the six secrets within him.”

He paused for a moment and said sincerely, “Ying’an, when you return, you must never mention that you’ve obtained an immortal root. Otherwise, if he does have immortal herbs within him, he’ll kill you and seize the immortal root.”

Xue Ying’an could no longer hold back and said angrily, “Brother Xu, I’ve always respected you, and I’m thankful to you for saving my life! But you’ve repeatedly insulted my sect and vilified my master without any evidence. Since our beliefs differ, we cannot work together! Farewell!”

Huffing angrily, he flung his sleeve and turned to descend the mountain.

Xu Ying warned him from behind, “Remember my words, Ying’an! When you return to Mount Jiuling, say that you didn’t obtain any immortal affinity!”

Xue Ying’an paused for a moment, then hurried to leave.

A long time passed before Xue Ying’an finally returned to the stone city. Several Guo clan Exorcists were there. They would occasionally unleash a divine ability into the sky to serve as beacons for their clansmen.

Zhu Hongyi also returned here thanks to the beacons.

Xue Ying’an sat atop the stone city’s wall and stared blankly at the vast desert outside.

He suddenly muttered under his breath, “Master is definitely not a bad person. My parents sent me up the mountain when I was young, and he became like a second parent to me. He taught me how to conduct myself and shaped me into the upright person I am today. I refuse to believe he has a dark side!”

Tears fell from his eyes as he choked out in a low voice, “I don’t believe it...”

The red bean immortal root flew out from his ethereal void and helped wipe away the tears at the corners of his eyes.

Xue Ying’an composed himself and said softly, “Red Bean, I won’t bring you back to the mountain. Leave. This is your world. I can’t be selfish and take you away. I’ll return alone and tell my master that I’ve obtained an immortal root.”

Red Bean’s tendrils danced. It plucked a mass of watery light from somewhere and injected it gently into his glabella. The tendrils caressed his face, as if telling him to take care.

Then, the immortal root leaped into the vast desert and burrowed into the yellow sand, vanishing without a trace.

Seeing him release the immortal root he had gone through so much trouble to obtain, Zhu Hongyi stamped her foot in frustration and stormed out of the stone city. She snapped angrily, “You, even if you don’t want it, don’t discard it! You could have left it for me!”

Xue Ying’an rose to his feet and silently shot her a glance.

On the jade mountain, Xu Ying and Yuanqi continued their search and came across a green bamboo immortal root. It was hiding among countless other bamboos. Xu Ying would never have noticed it if it hadn’t been trembling in fear at his presence.

The green bamboo immortal root sensed that he was the great fiend who had destroyed the Little Profound Heaven’s spiritual root. Realizing that it couldn’t escape calamity, it uprooted itself.

The immortal root did not retreat. Instead, it advanced, wielding its bamboo light like a sword. Like a master of sword arts, it charged bravely toward Xu Ying and Yuanqi, ready to fight to the death!

Xu Ying stood perfectly still.

Beside him, Yuanqi suddenly opened his mouth wide. Dozens of artifacts floated within, including bells, cauldrons, pagodas, sabers, spears, swords, halberds, and every other kind of artifact imaginable!

As the green bamboo immortal root charged forward, it realized the situation, and its bamboo roots went limp. It slid weakly on the ground, and the bamboo light sword qi vanished without a trace, sliding all the way to Xu Ying’s feet before stopping.

Xu Ying extracted its Origin Dao Essence and tested it. Seeing that it could activate the Mud Pill Palace’s longevity immortal herb, he gave it to Yuanqi. He had already consumed a similar Origin Dao Essence. So, consuming more of it did not affect him.

After Yuanqi consumed the Origin Dao Essence, his longevity immortal herb immediately activated. His cultivation soared by leaps and bounds, filling him with joy. Master Zhong is still wallowing in self-pity, while I’ve already ascended! By the time he comes back to his senses, he’ll no longer be a match for me!

Waving his hand, Xu Ying let the green bamboo immortal root leave and continued their search.

The rumbling of thunder suddenly echoed on the mountain. Looking up, Xu Ying saw divine light surging, and the dragon-headed, human-bodied divine being appeared!

Heavenly Dao Divine Artifact! Xu Ying’s heart pounded wildly. He quickly called out to Yuanqi and hurried toward the spot where the Heavenly Dao Divine Artifact descended.

Yuanqi kept pace with Xu Ying. Sensing the might of the Heavenly Dao, an inexplicable fear grew within him. He quickly shrank himself and jumped onto Xu Ying’s shoulder and whispered, “Ah Ying, have you forgotten? The Heavenly Dao Divine Artifact pulled the stone city to fight you! Aren’t you sending yourself to death by running over?”

Xu Ying smiled. “If the artifact could beat me, it would have done so long ago. Don’t worry!”

Thinking it over, Yuanqi thought it made sense and relaxed.

Others were also charging to the mountain peak. The artifact’s appearance was no trivial matter. Everyone nearby had seen the divine radiance illuminating the nine heavens and sensed the Heavenly Dao’s aura.

Xiao Zheng and Yue Hongzhu had just caught an immortal Dao spiritual root and were about to plant in it their Jasper Pool when they saw the Heavenly Dao Divine Artifact. Then, an immense force summoned the immortal Dao spiritual root in their hands. It flew out of their grasp and shot straight toward the Heavenly Dao Divine Artifact!

Startled, the two hurried after it.

Yue Hongzhu said rapidly, “Senior Brother, the immortal Dao spiritual root isn’t escaping on its own. The Heavenly Dao Divine Artifact is summoning it. A Heavenly Dao will has descended. Don’t stop it by force!”

Xiao Zheng’s expression grew solemn, and he said in a deep voice, “I know! Hongzhu, look!”

Yue Hongzhu looked where he pointed and was astonished. Immortal Dao spiritual roots hidden throughout the mountain forest on the jade mountain soared into the air.

These spiritual roots were originally hidden here. Finding them had been incredibly difficult and full of unpredictable dangers. Yet now, the immortal Dao spiritual roots were flying out on their own!

Moreover, Yue Hongzhu saw streams of spiritual light flying toward them from beyond the jade mountain. Most likely, the artifact was also summoning the spiritual roots hidden elsewhere in the Little Profound Heaven.

Staring blankly, Xiao Zheng wondered aloud, “Why is the Heavenly Dao Divine Artifact gathering all these immortal Dao spiritual roots?”

“Senior Brother, look at that otherworlder!” Yue Hongzhu exclaimed. Her eyes lit up as she pointed at a youth running up the mountain. “He’s that otherworlder expert I encountered!”

Using her movement technique, she moved at blinding speed, heading straight toward Xu Ying, laughing out loud. “Last time, I had to gather immortal roots with my senior brother and let you go. I never expected you to climb the mountain still! Today, I’ll offer your head as a sacrifice to the Dragon Abyss Heavenly God!”

Her four arms blurred into motion as the Dao avatar of a thousand-armed divine demon manifested behind her. All of a sudden, palms filled the sky and crashed down!

This was a top-tier killing divine ability of the Yuanding Realm. The palm force stacked upon each other, fierce and domineering!

Xu Ying, who had been sprinting toward her, paused for a moment. All six secrets opened behind him as he channeled the “Yang” character of the Eight Sounds of Primordial Nurturing.

Primordial yang surged within him as he unleashed a palm strike. The Dao avatar of myriad peaks bowing to Mount Jiuyi appeared, blasting toward the sky full of palm silhouettes!

Xiao Zheng’s expression immediately darkened. He hurried forward and called out, “Dodge, Junior Sister! His cultivation is much more robust than yours!”

Yue Hongzhu snickered to herself. “Would I not know the extent of his cultivation? I’ve already figured it out at the foot of the mountain earlier. His divine ability is scattered; it won’t be able to get near m—”

As their palm force collided, Yue Hongzhu immediately sensed a fierce, domineering force bearing down on her. She grunted as her thousand palms shattered one after another. The thousand-armed divine demon’s Dao avatar also wavered before collapsing!

Crack!

Two of her arms snapped. Blazing flames erupted around her. It was not real fire, but a Dao avatar caused by the invasion of a pure yang Dao art!

“When we were below the mountain, his cultivation was clearly weaker than mine. How could this be...”

Realizing the gravity of the situation, she gritted her teeth and swallowed the blood rising in her throat. With a fierce shout, her cauldron soared into the air, and her Golden Core flew toward Xu Ying, suppressing everything beneath its radiant light.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zheng lunged forward with a grave expression, attacking Xu Ying with all four palms stacked together.

Xu Ying pointed at Yue Hongzhu’s Golden Core. This strike contained the Dao sound of the “Yin” character from the Eight Sounds of Primordial Nurturing. A soft yin force invaded Yue Hongzhu’s Golden Core, causing its light to dim in an instant.

Yue Hongzhu coughed up a big mouthful of blood, and her aura waned.

At the same time, Xiao Zheng’s four hands slammed into Xu Ying. A strange sound rang in Xiao Zheng’s ear, like the hum of the Dao.

Xiao Zheng was startled. Along with that sound, Xu Ying’s vital energy turned into steam and transformed into a strange bird-worm seal script, withstanding the power of his four palms.

The bird-worm seal script was the “Eternal” character from the Eight Sounds of Primordial Nurturing. It contained the power of the Great Dao and was as unyielding as a city wall of metal. However, Xiao Zheng’s terrifying power still invaded Xu Ying and damaged his internal organs!

Xu Ying let out a muffled groan and took a step back. His Mud Pill’s vigor erupted. The longevity immortal herb circulated once, and his injuries healed completely.

“In close combat, our race’s Qi Cultivators far surpass others!” Xiao Zheng’s eyes lit up. Just as he was about to strike and kill Xu Ying, terror suddenly welled up in his heart, and he hurriedly somersaulted backward.

The instant his palm touched the ground, that fear of death surged again. Xiao Zheng exerted strength through his arms and leaped into the air, darting left and right as if dodging invisible attacks.

Yue Hongzhu had just suppressed her injuries when she saw Xiao Zheng rushing toward her. He grabbed her and leaped as if flying, sprinting toward the peak.

Her usually calm and composed fifth senior brother was now completely terrified. Xiao Zheng gradually slowed and panted heavily.

Realizing that he had been struck, he quickly stopped. He raised his palm and tore open his chest, cutting through his ribs to look inside. His heart had aged significantly and could no longer bear the heavy burden.

His heart’s vitality was still rapidly draining away. If it kept aging, his heart would surely fail to withstand his vital energy and be pushed to the point of bursting open!

He summoned his Golden Core to forcibly stabilize his heart, preventing its vitality from draining further. Completely horrified, he cried out, “What divine ability is this? I can’t break it! Hongzhu, hurry! Bring me to Uncle-Master! I’ll die if we’re too late!”