Day of Ascension

Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang channeled the Primordial Dao Heavenly Domain Resonance, mobilizing the divine-sense immortal herb within their Yellow Court grotto heaven. Their divine senses swelled and resonated with the myriad heavens.

As Xu Ying’s acupoints entered communion with the myriad heavens, he gradually sensed streams of wondrous power pouring from each one, filling and strengthening them.

Yuan Weiyang, meanwhile, used that power to visualize gods within her acupoints, following a different path.

Their divine senses resonated in the void, colliding and merging as they pressed deeper and mapped still more heavens. However, just as Yuan Weiyang had said, Ancestral Dragon was not the only one buried in the grand tomb of Mount Li!

When they achieved Heaven-Man Resonance, they saw that the already chaotic tomb was steeped in resentment, anger, hatred, and blood.

They saw countless corpses buried in the mountains. They saw the immortal mountains in the sky transformed into the five viscera of the pre-Qin Qi Cultivators, suspended in the air and drenched in blood.

They also perceived that the Primordial Spirits of the Great Qi Cultivators who had died unjust deaths had been refined into artifact spirits. Laden with curses and resentment, they lurked in the dark corners of the mountains, waiting to ambush and kill any intruder who dared enter the imperial mausoleum.

Calling the grand tomb of Mount Li a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood would be no exaggeration.

They stirred and tried to disrupt Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang, seeking to devour and assimilate their divine senses. However, their acupoints were connected to the myriad heavens. Even the wronged souls of the Great Qi Cultivators could not shake them.

Then both of them shuddered violently. An immense power had seized their divine senses.

In the vision before them, the sky spun, and the earth tilted. A blinding fissure split the heavens and entered their sight.

Hidden within the fissure was an exquisite dimension, with floating immortal mountains overflowing with vibrant immortal light. Within that radiant glow were celestial palaces inhabited by immortals, resembling an Immortal Realm!

Their divine senses were drawn helplessly toward the fissure, already slipping from their control.

The two hurriedly resonated with the myriad heavens. Every acupoint tensed as their heavenly domain resonance strengthened, letting them regain control of their divine senses and keep their descent into that other space-time from accelerating beyond restraint.

Then their hands suddenly tightened around each other. They could not help clutching each other’s hands, as though it might give them courage.

Nearby, Uncle Xiao saw everything. He raised an eyebrow, lowered his gaze, and pretended to notice nothing. Back in the Divine Capital, forget holding hands. They were practically eating rouge every day and thought I didn’t know. I suppose my eyesight really is failing me...

As Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang drew closer to the fissure, the sky disappeared from their view, replaced by an incredibly narrow abyss with steep cliffs on both sides. Their surfaces were covered in strange, writhing flesh and scales!

Yet the Immortal Realm lay right at the end of the abyss, so close that it felt as though it were calling to them.

They tried their best to slow the descent of their divine senses. As they sank deeper, they seemed to disturb whatever lived in the abyss. Then countless eyes of every size snapped open across the flesh walls on both sides and fixed on them.

Some were terrified, some curious, and others gleamed with anger, joy, or malice. Most, however, held nothing but endless despair.

Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang’s hearts pounded with fear as they continued to descend toward the “Immortal Realm.” Then they saw a man drenched in blood clinging to the sheer cliff face. His limbs and fingers had turned into fan-shaped flesh and wedged themselves into the cracks in the cliff, straining to grow upward and drag him out little by little.

The man seemed able to “see” their divine senses. He strained to lift his head and shouted at them with all his might, “Retreat immediately! Ahead is the desolate realm of Towering Wasteland!”

Boom!

A powerful force dragged him back toward the “Immortal Realm.” The flesh that had grown from his limbs and fingers snapped one after another. After sliding down more than a thousand zhang, he finally caught himself and resumed his agonizing climb.

Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang’s scalps went numb. Looking closely at the massive walls of the deep abyss, they saw countless figures crawling all over like ants.

Countless people were using every bit of their strength to try to crawl out of the abyss!

“Are these people the Qi Cultivators from the Great Han dynasty who practiced Heaven-Man Resonance?”

Their divine senses trembled in horror. Then a boundlessly powerful consciousness from deep within the abyss connected with them.

The instant contact was made, they saw a vision of the magnificent wonders of the Immortal Realm waiting at the end of the abyss.

A dazzling flood of visions overwhelmed them. Insights into countless Dao arts struck their minds, making them feel light as air, as if they had already ascended.

The mortal realm seemed like hell. All emotions felt worthless as dirt, and every worldly pleasure hollow. Only by ascending to the Immortal Realm could they attain the greatest happiness—eternal happiness.

“Ruuun!” Xu Ying sent a telepathic signal to Yuan Weiyang. Their divine senses immediately turned, and they used the momentum to catapult themselves upward.

Right then, an earth-shattering explosion echoed through the air. The Immortal Realm at the far end of the abyss produced heavy, snapping noises. Their divine senses caught a quick glance and saw that the deep abyss was expanding and splitting open.

An indescribably massive eye appeared at the end of the deep abyss, staring at them. Countless immortals drifted in it. Then one of the immortals suddenly pressed against the iris, revealing a ghastly pale face.

“Weiyang, hold onto the myriad heavens!” Xu Ying shouted, “Don’t get pulled in!”

Their divine senses struggled to hold steady as an immense force pulled them toward that eye. They tried their hardest to resonate with the myriad heavens to steady themselves. Yet before that force, they were powerless to resist.

Inside the grand tomb of Mount Li, Old Grand-Madam Yuan and Madam Yuan guarded Yuan Wuji at his sides as he pushed deeper into the tomb. Although many of the seals had been broken, it remained extremely dangerous.

The pre-Qin Qi Cultivators who had built the tomb had hung numerous artifacts throughout the mountain, and some targeted the soul, making them especially sinister

It was very difficult for Exorcists to temper their souls. Only those who had unlocked their Gushing-Spring Secret Trove could temper their souls to become very powerful, yet very few were able to obtain its cultivation techniques.

Old Grand-Madam Yuan asked respectfully, “What exactly are you trying to find, Master?”

Smiling, Yuan Wuji explained, “I heard that during the pre-Qin era, there was an exotic treasure known as the Pearl of Marquis Sui[1] that could penetrate the heavens and the underworld, illuminating the myriad realms. With this pearl and our techniques, we can step into the space of the myriad realms and obtain immeasurable wealth.

“I also heard that the two best Master Craftsmen of that era, Ou Yezi and Gan Jiang, worked together on it. They gathered the invisible, formless might of the world to refine qi into a sword to forge the Tai’e sword.

“This sword carries the supreme sword qi of the world. It can destroy a nation, and nothing can stop it! Both the Pearl of Marquis Sui and the Tai’e sword are likely to be within the grand tomb of Mount Li.”

He paused for a moment, fervor flickering in his eyes, and continued, “Besides them, the item most likely to be buried here is the Nine Cauldrons[2]!”

With a flick of his sleeve, clouds swirled forth and rolled into the forest ahead. Out of nowhere, a banner dropped from a tree branch, gently sweeping toward them.

Immediately, Madam Yuan and Old Grand-Madam Yuan’s souls shook, nearly shattering their three souls and seven spirits.

At that critical juncture, Yuan Wuji stepped in front of them. His Primordial Spirit rose from behind him, vast and boundless. He thrust out a finger, and the banner burst into flames, no longer able to threaten them.

Her heart pounding, Old Grand-Madam Yuan caught her breath. “Master, this place is too dangerous. I can still hold on, but Weiyang’s mother lacks cultivation. Let her go down to watch over the girl.”

Yuan Wuji nodded.

Old Grand-Madam Yuan gave Madam Yuan a meaningful glance and smiled. “Hurry back down and watch over the children. I’ll handle things here.”

Madam Yuan did not catch the meaning behind that glance, but she obeyed and went to Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang’s side.

Yuan Weiyang and Xu Ying were sitting on Yuanqi’s forehead, holding hands. Madam Yuan could not help frowning at the sight, but she did not stop them. Weiyang is a girl, after all. She can’t pretend to be Young Master Weiyang forever. As her mother, I also hope she finds someone good to spend her life with.

She remained unaware of the desperate situation Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang were in.

Ahead, Yuan Wuji said, “The Nine Cauldrons date back to an even earlier age, between the ancient and archaic eras. Holy Emperor Da Yu forged them in the shape of the Divine Land to anchor the land’s providence. Do you know? There is another reason Zhou Qiyun was defeated.”

Old Grand-Madam Yuan replied, “I do not.”

“Zhou Qiyun’s loss stemmed from his Radiant Vestige.”

Old Grand-Madam Yuan was confused.

Yuan Wuji explained, “His Radiant Vestige was mirrored after the Divine Land. He traveled across the realm, measuring the earth and treading through every mountain and river, turning the entire terrain into his Radiant Vestige.

“When he unleashed his land of sublimation, he could draw on the power of the entire Divine Land to resist the heavenly tribulation, forcing all living beings to defy the Heavenly Dao. If that had happened, he could have triumphed without a fight and ascended with ease.”

Old Grand-Madam Yuan came to a realization. “You are right, Master.”

Yuan Wuji continued, “However, the flaw also lay in his Radiant Vestige. The Divine Land he mapped when his cultivation reached completion wasn’t the real one; it was merely what was left after the sealing.

“Therefore, when the Hell River and the underworld invaded and the sealed world reappeared, his Radiant Vestige couldn’t fuse with the heavens and earth.

“He lost the ability to hold the people of the Divine Land hostage against the Heavenly Dao. So he had to settle for the next best option and chose to hold the heavenly gods hostage instead.”

He chuckled involuntarily. ”My lady, the Great Qin obtained the Nine Cauldrons, but they disappeared during the shift from the Qin to the Han dynasty. That leaves only one possibility: Emperor Ancestral Dragon brought them into the grand tomb of Mount Li.

“The mountains and rivers here are identical to those of the Divine Land of the ancient era. My lady, don’t you think the Nine Cauldrons are hidden here?”

Old Grand-Madam was his first wife[3], as well as a top expert with nine grotto heavens. She said, “Your reasoning makes perfect sense, Master, but for what purpose do you seek these Nine Cauldrons?”

Yuan Wuji smiled. “What Zhou Qiyun did has shown me a new possibility.”

His eyes flickered. “I plan to fully activate the Nine Cauldrons and merge them with my Radiant Vestige, then unfurl it, enveloping the entire Divine Land. Once I hold the entirety of the Divine Land hostage, do you think the Heavenly Dao would dare destroy all life just to stop me from overcoming my tribulation and ascending?”

Old Grand-Madam Yuan smiled. “Master, you practice the Primordial Dao Heavenly Domain Resonance and keep your mind as firm as a rock, remaining unmoved throughout eternity. Why is it that recently, your Dao heart seems to be far less steady than before?”

Yuan Wuji stiffened for a moment, but quickly recovered his composure and chuckled. “Is that so? Perhaps it is because I have been practicing the Yellow Court Dao Attainment Technique. Since it resolved the hidden danger of being swallowed by the great abyss while comprehending the Dao, I suppose I have become somewhat reckless.”

Old Grand-Madam Yuan came to a realization. “I see, I have misunderstood you. I was worried that something had gone wrong with your state of mind. Do you still remember the vows of love we made when we pledged our hearts to each other?”

Yuan Wuji smiled. ”How could I forget? Back then, we were by the banks of the Luo River. We swore an oath upon its waters, tying our hearts as one to endure as long as its eternal currents flow. What were you imagining, my lady?”

Old Grand-Madam Yuan let out a sigh of relief, her mind at ease. “I’ve noticed that you’ve been a bit different lately. Sometimes, it seemed like your emotions weren’t in control. I feared something had gone wrong while you practiced the Yellow Court Dao Attainment Technique.”

Yuan Wuji laughed heartily. “You are overthinking things, my lady. I was simply dwelling on what happened to Zhou Qiyun, so my emotions have been somewhat unsettled. I’ll be more careful.”

“I see. We have been a couple for over two hundred years, so I notice even if your minor habits change. I thought the Yellow Court Dao Attainment Technique had influenced you, turning you into someone else entirely.”

Yuan Wuji shook his head. “You worry too much, my lady. Look at the cliff wall ahead!”

Looking visibly excited, he dashed forward.

Old Grand-Madam Yuan hurriedly gave chase and called out, “Be careful!”

Both of them were top experts of the present era. They moved incredibly fast and soon arrived beneath the cliff wall.

Behind them, Yuanqi carried Madam Yuan, Zhu Chanchan, Xu Ying, and the others. As they tried to catch up to Old Grand-Madam Yuan and Yuan Wuji, a thick fog rose from the valley ahead and blocked out the sky. It swallowed them whole, leaving them unable to see anything.

Madam Yuan possessed a powerful divine sense and immediately released it to scout their surroundings. However, even with her abilities, she failed to detect a single thing around them.

In fact, when she probed around them with her divine sense, she could not even sense the ground, nor could she sense Xu Ying, Yuan Weiyang, or the others.

She felt that if she took even one step forward, she would plunge into a bottomless abyss and fall forever.

She dared not move an inch as cold sweat broke out on her forehead. “To think the grand tomb of Mount Li contains such a formidable restriction! It’s like the great terror one faces when comprehending the Dao!”

Suddenly, a startled cry rang out from the fog. It sounded like Old Grand-Madam Yuan. Immediately after, waves from the eruption of divine abilities surged through the mist, and then everything fell silent.

Moments later, a mournful, heart-rending howl echoed out as the fog gradually dissipated.

Casting all caution aside, Madam Yuan rushed forward. At the base of the mountain ahead, blood covered the ground, and the white-haired Old Grand-Madam Yuan lay in a pool of it.

Yuan Wuji knelt beside Old Grand-Madam Yuan’s corpse, howling at the sky in utter despair.

Madam Yuan’s heart sank. As if all her strength had been drained, she slumped, kneeling weakly on the ground.

Zhu Chanchan, Yuanqi, and the others watched the scene with sorrow.

Tears poured down Yuan Wuji’s face. As Uncle Xiao comforted him, his sobbing gradually stopped. He turned back to everyone. ”By the time I tried to save her, it was already too late. What bitter agony! My wife is deaaad!”

Zhu Chanchan shed tears, and Dazhong let out a low hum. No one noticed that the sky above them was growing increasingly tilted and warped.

Inside the deep abyss, Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang’s divine senses were just about to plummet eternally when they suddenly sensed another heavenly domain.

What they felt were massive cauldrons—a heavenly domain hidden within the grand tomb of Mount Li—were formed by nine massive cauldrons!

“Weiyang!” Xu Ying shouted. Their minds perfectly in sync, they immediately connected their divine senses to the nine cauldrons and anchored their acupoints.

“Let’s go!” They shouted in unison. “Either the nine cauldrons pull us out, or we drag them and the heavenly domain into the deep abyss!”

1. A legendary gem in Chinese history and mythology, along with the Heshibi, the jade disk that became the Imperial Jade Seal, represented the pinnacle of royal treasures. ☜

2. A collection of ritual bronze cauldrons cast by the mythical King Yu of the Xia Dynasty. They are symbols of imperial authority, state sovereignty, and the mandate of heaven. ☜

3. In ancient Chinese society, a man could have multiple concubines but only one official, first-married primary wife who held the highest social status in the household. ☜