Day of Ascension

Above the Yunmeng Marsh, Xu Ying looked back into the distance. The Fusang Tree resembled a distant mountain ridge, gradually shrinking from view. He will slowly recover if the Fish Belly people continue worshipping him.

Xu Ying asked, “Ying’an, you returned to Yunmeng Marsh before us. What happened afterward?”

Xue Ying’an recounted his experience. That day, a blinding radiance had erupted in the Stone City. It left the Taiyi Little Profound Heaven and made its way back to Yunmeng Marsh. Many members of the Guo, Cui, and other Exorcist noble clans returned. Guo Xiaodie waited for days; when Xu Ying didn’t appear, she eventually left dejectedly.

Xue Ying’an said, “I also waited for several days. I wanted to invite you to go to Mount Jiulong together. But after you told me all that, I couldn’t wait to return and verify things for myself. So, I returned to Mount Jiulong alone.”

When he told Li Xiaoke that he had obtained an immortal Dao spiritual root, his master was very happy for him and asked him to describe his experiences during this time. He also told Xue Ying’an that the Ageless Immortal was an old acquaintance.

Meanwhile, Xue Ying’an was filled with anxiety. He didn’t dare to go to sleep at night. He lay in bed with his eyes wide open, waiting for Li Xiaoke to come and kill him for the spiritual root.

However, nothing happened that night.

The same thing happened the following night.

Nothing happened for more than ten days.

Only then did Xue Ying’an finally let go of his suspicions toward Li Xiaoke.

Not long ago, Li Xiaoke had told him that the Ageless Immortal was still alive. He had returned from the Taiyi Little Profound Heaven and was currently beneath the Fusang Tree in Yunmeng Marsh. Thus, Li Xiaoke sent Xue Ying’an to invite him.

That was why Xue Ying’an had made this journey.

Yuanqi said to Xu Ying, “Ah Ying, Grand Preceptor Jiang sent a voice transmission to the myriad realms, demanding everyone hand over the roots they were holding onto, or Heaven’s punishment would descend. He even annihilated a heavenly domain for it. Could Li Xiaoke have thought that Xue Ying’an was lying because of this?”

Xu Ying froze for a moment. He pondered and said, “Li Xiaoke is aware of Xue Ying’an’s kind nature. If he kept the spiritual root, an entire world would be destroyed. Naturally, he wouldn’t keep it on himself! Master Qi, since when did you become so smart?”

Yuanqi was also taken aback and cried out, “You’re right! Recently, I’ve noticed that I’ve been going into a daze and occasionally losing my memory. So, why did I suddenly become smart?”

Dazhong speculated, “Perhaps you’ve read too many books, and they were taking up too much space in your brain, which isn’t big to begin with. Now that you’re often losing your memory, there’s more space inside.”

Yuanqi came to a realization and sneered coldly, “You’re just saying I have a small brain, aren’t you? Zhong guy, don’t forget that you’re responsible for my current plight. You must take responsibility for me! Ah, my head hurts!”

Dazhong hurried forward to take care of him, but he was actually astounded inside. This stupid snake really became smarter!

The bell urged Xu Ying anxiously, “Ah Ying, quickly undo his ‘jail’ character seal. That way, Master Qi will become a bit dumber.”

“I’m on it, I’m on it!” Xu Ying also sensed the urgency. While hurrying on the way, he studied how to decipher the immortal rune.

However, Xu Ying found the current Seventh Master Niu pleasant company. The trade-off between memory loss and intelligence seemed worthwhile. So, he wasn’t in a rush to undo the “jail” character seal.

Instead, he focused on deciphering the “imprison” character Dao rune that sealed him. Based on the golden immortal Dao rune he had obtained from Jin Buyi’s memories, he could already see countless versions of himself imprisoned within it.

Along the way, he tried to rescue each version one by one, just as he had rescued Yuanqi.

However, the Dao rune simply kept far too many versions of him trapped. He had no idea how many times he would have to decipher the “imprison” character Dao rune before he could completely free himself.

Meanwhile, at the Stone City, the white-robed elder Bei Chenzi was sweating bullets as he watched the “imprison” character Dao rune on the Demon-Suppressing Rune flicker continuously. He muttered, “It’s too late, it’s too late...”

Although he didn’t know what that Dao rune meant, its light was gradually dimming, which meant that the seal’s effect was waning! If the light faded completely, that would mean the seal was broken.

He had never encountered anything like this, so he had no idea how to handle it. He didn’t even know the consequences of the seal being broken, but he knew it wouldn’t be good news for him.

Bei Chenzi couldn’t help but worry. “The earth god has gone to the Heavenly God Hall. He should have arrived by now. I wonder how it’s going?”

***

At the Heavenly God Hall

The tiny Divine Land earth god stood on the long bridge at the hall’s center. On both sides was an endless abyss, with countless skeletons crawling in the abyss, trying to climb onto the long bridge.

These skeletons remained unaware of their deaths and were struggling in vain.

The earth god tilted his head back and shouted, “My lords, I, too, am a heavenly god! At the very least, show me some face!”

Looking up, he saw countless towering ancient trees, massive and eerie. Stone statues of heavenly gods sat atop the trees. They had human bodies made of stone, triangular heads, and fearsome appearances.

Each stone statue stood a thousand ren[1] tall. Their eyes radiated divine light, shining upon the earth god.

The gods’ consciousnesses rippled back and forth in this vast space, as if the heavenly gods were whispering among themselves.

“He said He’s a heavenly god like us.”

“He’s delusional. He really thinks governing the land of a single state makes Him equal to a god of the Heavenly Dao.”

“We are heavenly gods who govern the myriad realms, while He’s an earth god who governs the land of a mere state. There are plenty of gods like Him in every world.”

“What lands on the ground is a chicken, not an eagle.”

“Shh! Stop talking. Look at His face. It’s turned purple with rage.”

“Let Him go back and wait for the due process to take place.”

The gods’ consciousnesses conversed happily, their whispers growing increasingly loud. The earth god’s face had indeed flushed purple with rage, and he suddenly bellowed, “Enough! We’re on the same side! Do we really have to go through the due process?”

A majestic voice boomed from the sky. “Official matters must be conducted strictly by the book. Our own are no exception. Moreover, Divine Land earth god, you’re overstepping here. You should return to your own temple and submit a report to the Heavenly Dao World, then follow the proper procedures.”

The whispering stopped. Clearly, the newcomer’s status was extraordinary.

The earth god was so furious that his hair stood on end. “Xu Ying is trying to decipher the Demon-Suppressing Runes! Do you know what that means? He’s breaking out of his own prison! He’s making a key to unlock the prison’s gate! He’s going to tear down the prison himself!”

The majestic voice said, “Across countless lifetimes, he’s tried that more than once, but has he ever succeeded? Divine Land earth god, no need to be so anxious...”

The Divine Land earth god jumped up, fuming with rage. “Anxious, your grandpa! I remember you didn’t use to handle matters this slowly! You used to get things done quickly! Are you afraid of taking responsibility? Are you worried about losing your job?

“If that Xu guy breaks his seal and charges in, forget about your job; he’ll overturn the world[2]! He’ll scatter your ashes! Everyone can forget about keeping your jobs!”

The gods were furious. The Heavenly God Hall suddenly plunged into darkness as the heavenly gods’ faces turned exceptionally fierce, and a terrifying Heavenly Dao aura pressed down!

The earth god let out a muffled groan as the gods’ auras pinned him flat to the floor, rendering him immobile.

Loud cracks rang out from him. His physical body was one thing, but even his divine soul was on the verge of being crushed!

The majestic voice said, “If you suppress Him, then who will do the work? None of you do any actual work, and only this one does.”

Thus, the gods withdrew their auras.

The earth god crawled up to his feet. Acting much more respectfully, he asked, “Supreme Gods, could you please show some leniency?”

The majestic voice replied, “Return to your temple first, and submit a—”

Once again, the earth god could no longer contain his anger and shouted, “How many times have I said this now? Ancestral Dragon destroyed my temple. petitioned you to grant me a Heavenly Dao Divine Artifact, but did you ever respond? It’s been two years! Have you responded even once?”

The majestic voice momentarily fell silent, likely checking the records. After some time, he said slowly, “Your report did not meet the required standards and was sent back to be rewritten.”

The earth god trembled in rage, and his voice also quivered. “Why didn’t I receive word of this?”

“It was sent back to your temple.”

“Ancestral Dragon destroyed my temple!”

“Then it cannot be helped. Why don’t you go to an Earth God Temple on another continent to submit your report?”

“If I submit a report from another continent’s Earth God Temple, wouldn’t I first need a certification to prove that I am the Divine Land’s earth god? Where would I get that?”

The voice replied, “Submit a report to the Heavenly Dao World. We’ll issue you a certificate.”

“It’s precisely because I cannot submit a report to the Heavenly Dao World that I need to go to another earth god’s temple to do so!”

The voice fell silent for a moment, then said, “Then there’s nothing we can do. You’ll have to think of another way.”

The earth god flew into a rage. “Why do I have to think of a solution?!”

“It’s not like we’re the ones in a hurry.”

......

The Divine Land earth god foamed at the mouth and collapsed backward onto the floor, convulsing violently.

After another moment, the majestic heavenly god said, “You really need to work on that temper of yours. It’s useless even if you ask for a Heavenly Dao Divine Artifact. It has no authority to punish him. You don’t have to worry, either.

“The hall exists to serve gods from the lower realm like you. We won’t make things difficult for you. I have a plan that can resolve this perilous situation temporarily.”

The Divine Land earth god was still on the floor, still foaming at the mouth and convulsing occasionally.

The majestic voice droned on to himself, “The method is to have the heavenly gods of the Heavenly God Hall project themselves into the lower realm.”

He sighed and continued, “It’s not that the hall wants to interfere in worldly affairs. We simply have no choice but to do so.”

The earth god jumped up to his feet and smiled. “Thank you for bestowing this grace, Supreme God!”

The gods watched as he departed the Heavenly God Hall. A moment later, a voice asked, “My lord, will we really intervene in this matter?”

“Heavenly Dao Divine Artifacts have no authority to mete out punishment to him. The heavenly gods will have to make a move.” The majestic voice chuckled.

“Forty-eight thousand years ago, the Heavenly Dao World underwent a massive reshuffling. The old factions fell, and new gods rose to power. However, the Old Gods wielded immense authority. After Their fall, and the new gods’ rise, yet they failed to inherit the authority of the Old Gods.

“We have neither the authority to use the Heavenly Dao Divine Artifacts on our own nor the authority to interfere in worldly matters. But this might be our chance.”

The gods fell silent, but a surge of emotion rippled in the Heavenly God Hall. Clearly, even the heavenly gods had trouble steadying their Dao hearts.

A voice spoke up. “My lord, what if our interference in the mortal realm fails this time, and the higher-ups decide to punish us...”

The majestic voice chuckled. “Don’t we have a scapegoat right here? We just have to pin the blame on the Divine Land earth god. He has only one mouth. Can He outtalk all of us? The mouths of the masses can melt gold[3]. Once we pin the blame on Him, there’s no way He can refute our claim.”

The gods were thoroughly convinced and filled with admiration.

The Divine Land earth god returned to the stone city, found Bei Chenzi, and informed him. Bei Chenzi pondered momentarily before saying, “Daoist Brother, the heavenly gods projecting themselves onto the divine statues is great, but wouldn’t that cause too big of a stir? What if the higher-ups punish us...”

The Divine Land earth god chuckled. “We’re just small fries. The moment the heavenly gods descend, the responsibility no longer lies with us. Even if there is punishment, it will only fall on the hall.”

Bei Chenzi realized this and praised him again and again. “I’ve received news about Xu Ying. He’s heading toward Mount Jiulong.”

The Divine Land earth god perked up and said, “Let’s head there immediately!”

***

Meanwhile, Xu Ying was still immersed in breaking the “imprison” character Dao runes. Along the way, he had already broken the seal on the physical bodies of over thirty incarnations, and he gradually discovered something strange.

Every time he broke a seal, he sensed his own physique growing a little more stable. This was highly unusual.

Using the “imprison” character Dao rune, Bei Chenzi and the others had sealed the physical bodies of his past incarnations, reducing them to ordinary people with no cultivation history before casting them among mortals.

This meant that the physical achievements he had attained in each life had remained within the seals rather than being erased!

Now, every time Xu Ying broke one of those seals, the physical achievements of that incarnation returned to him. Although he wanted to regain his memories, regaining his physical achievements was better than nothing.

“It seems the physical achievements of my past incarnations weren’t very high.”

Xu Ying checked through them. Over these thirty-three lifetimes, he had only practiced the Grand Unity Guiding Method and reached the advanced Qi Gathering Stage. How strong could he possibly be?

When Xu Ying unsealed up to the forty-fifth lifetime, he came across a relatively stronger version of himself. He had trained his physique to a level on par with his current self!

Xu Ying couldn’t help but feel curious. “Forty-five lifetimes ago, what kind of person was I? Why was my physique this strong? Just how powerful was that incarnation of me to rival my current self?”

When he unsealed this physical body, he discovered that this incarnation was a Great Exorcist who had practiced an exorcism art for the Crimson-Palace Secret Trove.

Xu Ying thought, So I was just a chive back then, but Bei Chenzi and the others wiped my memories and sealed them away before I could be harvested, then cast me away to some remote corner.

Suddenly, Xue Ying’an’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “Brother Xu, Brother Xu! My master is over there!”

Xu Ying snapped back to his senses and looked over, only to see that they had arrived at the mountains of Mount Jiulong before he realized it.

Mount Jiulong was majestic and vast, shaped like nine dragons coiled together, their heads facing inward, holding up an immortal mountain. The nine dragons held up Jiucailing Ridge.

Lush, green chives grew beautifully on the mountain’s slopes. Someone worked in the fields, swinging their sickle and harvesting the chives.

Xu Ying looked around and asked in confusion, “Ying’an, which one is your master?”

Xue Ying’an pointed to the man harvesting chives in the field and laughed. “That’s my master!”

Just then, Li Xiaoke straightened up. He was dressed like an old farmer, holding a sickle in one hand and a bunch of chives in the other, with a face full of smiles. He looked at Xu Ying and laughed heartily.

“Since I’m reuniting with an old friend, I came to harvest some chives first as appetizers to go with wine! Ageless Immortal, I’m not done harvesting yet. Care to join me?”

1. An ancient unit of length equal to about 8 Chinese feet (chi). ☜

2. This is clearly a jab at bureaucracy in real life. Rice bowl is commonly used to refer to one’s job, and the earth god is saying Xu Ying will overturn the pot, making everyone lose their food. ☜

3. If enough people repeat a rumor, it becomes accepted as absolute truth. ☜