Day of Ascension

Xue Ying’an was in a daze. Xu Ying had warned him multiple times that his master, Li Xiaoke, was likely a wolf in sheep’s clothing and was using him to harvest the immortal Dao spiritual root in the Taiyi Little Profound Heaven.

Xu Ying had also warned him that his master was likely a wolf that bides its time, using the immortal Dao spiritual roots to refine the immortal herbs. However, he refused to believe Xu Ying and even fell out with him.

But this time, the Carefree Bell had said it, so he had no choice but to believe it.

“Why does Master need Origin Dao Essence?” Xue Ying’an asked, still struggling inside.

The Carefree Bell replied, “Because he’d accumulated a lot of immortal herbs. Refining them using orthodox methods would take forever. So, using the essence to refine them is the simplest and most efficient method. He had already refined many human elixirs.”

“Human elixirs?”

The Carefree Bell explained, “Yes, human elixirs.He’s a Qi Cultivator. By the time he discovered exorcism arts, he had already reached the Ascension Stage. By then, among the six secrets, his Mud Pill Palace had become a vast sea of primordial chaos, unable to split open. His Crimson Palace was also filled with immortal fire, too thick and heavy to open.

“As for the other Secret Troves, they were even more difficult to open. Impossible, even. His path to immortality was already severed. The only way to remedy it was to refine human elixirs. Only by consuming them could he complete the six secrets, raise his strength, and regain the possibility of ascending!”

Xue Ying’an was terrified, yet a profound bitterness welled deep within his chest. “Master said that the six secrets are a heretical path and never taught them to us. He looked down on the six secrets with utter disdain...”

The Carefree Bell sneered coldly. “Teach you all that, and let you practice dual cultivation of Qi and Exorcism? Then, once you reach the Ascension Stage, wouldn’t he be no match for you all? Let alone the Ascension Stage, even at the Third Gate-Knocking Stage, he might not be a match for you!

“Why would he nurture a bunch of rivals for himself? Stop dreaming.”

Xu Ying said softly, “I think another reason why he’s teaching his disciples only Qi Cultivation is to proclaim to the world that he’s an orthodox Qi Cultivator who never practiced exorcism arts. This way, he can avoid suspicion of consuming human elixirs.”

The Carefree Bell agreed. “That’s likely part of the reason. He always presented himself as upright and noble before others. He cared deeply about his reputation.”

Xue Ying’an composed himself. “Senior Carefree, you haven’t explained what a human elixir is.”

The Carefree Bell explained, “Human elixirs are six secret elixirs, but their seeds are planted within the human body. First, select or breed a seed. Choose someone young with exceptional talent; it’s best if they are a teenager; their gender doesn’t matter.

“Set up a spiritual sanctuary, a grotto residence, or something similar along a path young people are likely to pass, then let them stumble upon it by chance and obtain the secret manuals you have left behind.”

Xu Ying couldn’t help but recall Zhou Qiyun’s encounter. He had chanced upon an ancient exorcism art legacy in Qin Yan Cave’s Mud Pill Palace.

The Carefree Bell continued, “Prepare spirit elixirs to help this youth break through some passes and aid in their cultivation. Imagine a youth obtaining the secret manuals passed down by ancient immortals, comprehending and practicing those cultivation techniques, and gaining various divine abilities and Dao arts.

“How could they not be grateful? Why would they harbor any suspicion? This is what is called ‘selection and breeding of seeds.’”

Xue Ying’an’s mind buzzed.

This reminded him of the conversation between Li Xiaoke and Xu Ying in the chive field. There seemed to be some kind of connection between the two!

Yuanqi asked curiously, “Selecting and breeding a chive seed?”

For some reason, the Carefree Bell felt a surge of irritation at the sight of this giant snake, but he held it in.

“That’s right. Selecting and breeding a chive seed. After that, you still need to choose a good place to nurture the seed. The place he chose wasn’t good. The first seed he chose was far off in Lingling, but quite a few people were already nurturing seeds there.”

The golden bell sighed with emotion. ”Lingling is a good place. The myriad mountains bow down to Jiuyi, being the king of all mountains. A great emperor[1] is buried there. Naturally, it drew the covetous eyes of many old-timers there. Fortunately, he also got his foot in.

“The ruler of the Southern Dian Kingdom, Chen Mianzu, was the human elixir he had carefully selected and nurtured. However, he soon realized that selecting and nurturing a single elixir was too slow. So, he switched to the seed-breeding route.”

Xu Ying’s heart stirred slightly. “The seed-breeding route refers to the Yuan clan, right?”

The Carefree Bell praised. “As expected of the Ageless Immortal. You are indeed wise.”

Xue Ying’an didn’t understand what they meant and looked bewildered.

“His seed-breeding method was to nurture six ancient noble clans. The Divine Capital’s Yuan clan was one of them, and five other major noble clans.”

The Carefree Bell explained, “He laid traps in the exorcism arts, disguised them as ancient immortal art legacies, and passed them down to someone young with exceptional talent. Through various behind-the-scenes trickery, he guided them to establish noble clans and pass those exorcism arts down through the generations.

“When the noble clan descendants became Exorcist Immortals, they couldn’t extend their lifespan because they couldn’t refine the immortal herbs within them. So, they could only hide in their Radiant Vestige lands. And that was the time to harvest the elixir.”

Xue Ying’an’s hair stood on end.

Even though Xu Ying and Yuanqi already knew how ancient Qi Cultivators harvested human elixirs, Carefree Bell’s detailed description still sent a chill down their spines.

The golden bell said, “After the old ancestors entered their Radiant Vestige land of sublimation to live in seclusion, their descendants would eventually come searching for them. All they would find was a layer of human skin. That meant the elixir had been harvested. If word of this got out, wouldn’t the entire business be ruined?

“That’s why legends like ascension by feathering, ascension by weapon liberation, and so on were needed. By claiming they’ve feigned death and ascended by feathering or ascended by weapon liberation, the descendants wouldn’t suspect anything and would continue practicing the trap-laden exorcism arts. That way, we can harvest Exorcist Immortals generation after generation. This practice is called ‘harvesting the chives.’”

Yuanqi asked, “What if someone discovers the truth? What if someone realizes that the exorcism arts contain traps and tells the people? Wouldn’t they all realize the danger and refuse to practice them, knowing they’d be devoured?”

The Carefree Bell sneered coldly. “Would you stop cultivating once you knew? Everyone else is cultivating. If you don’t cultivate, you won’t even qualify to be a chive! Others would wipe you out immediately!”

Yuanqi was left speechless.

The Carefree Bell continued, “This is the brilliance of harvesting chives. It all boils down to being sharp, fast, and level. When harvesting, the blade must be sharp, the speed fast, and the cut level. Only then will the harvested chives not feel hurt or wronged. They would still cultivate as they should, providing an endless supply of chives.”

Xue Ying’an suddenly realized. Comparing this with Li Xiaoke’s ode to the chives in the chive field, he finally realized that the philosophy hidden within those words was nothing like what he had imagined. Beneath them lay bloodshed and malice!

His master had spoken of seed selection, choosing the right place, when to harvest, how to harvest, nurturing the chives’ mindset, and the healing of their wounds. He thought Li Xiaoke’s words held a profound hidden meaning, but he had never imagined that this was what they meant!

The Carefree Bell said, “You are chives, too. Do you know why none of you senior and junior disciples have ever managed to refine your Primordial Spirits?”

Xue Ying’an replied, “Master said that this realm is lacking spirit qi and primordial qi is thin, insufficient for us to refine our Primordial Spirits. Only by returning to the Yuanshou Realm can we refine our Primordial Spirits. And whether or not we succeed depends on our aptitude.”

The Carefree Bell burst out laughing. “He’s merely treating you all as vessels. Do you know how your first senior brother died?”

Xue Ying’an recalled that he had once had a first senior brother. He possessed unparalleled talent and extraordinary intelligence. Later, he ventured into the world and met an untimely death.

Xue Ying’an muttered, not feeling as confident as before, “Master said that our first senior brother encountered a heavenly demon on his travels and was devoured.”

The Carefree Bell said, “He carefully selects the cultivation techniques you all practice. You, too, are people he carefully chose. His purpose is to shape you into the form he desires, making it easier for him to possess you.”

Xu Ying and Yuanqi exchanged glances, recalling Zhu Chanchan’s experience. Yuanqi said, “Old Ancestor Chanchan never fully unlocked her six secrets, so she didn’t dare to refine her Primordial Spirit.”

Xu Ying nodded. “None of Li Xiaoke’s disciples refined their Primordial Spirits. No one will likely unlock the six secrets after refining it. So, Li Xiaoke must limit the cultivation realms of these vessels.”

The Carefree Bell explained, “Your first senior brother died because Li Xiaoke wanted to test if he could possess him. That experiment went perfectly, but he didn’t actually need to possess someone. So, he had no choice but to abandon your first senior brother’s physical body and return to his own.”

Xue Ying’an felt the world spinning around him. He staggered and slumped to the floor.

Yuanqi asked, “Senior Carefree, what about eating chives?”

He recalled that Li Xiaoke had explained in great detail to Xu Ying the various ways to eat chives. First, eating them raw; then grilled; stir-fried with meat; plain stir-fried; scrambled with eggs; and cooked with glass noodles!

The bell sneered coldly. “You wouldn’t want to know how they’re eaten. It’s too cruel. Even I can’t stand to watch it.”

Xue Ying’an fell silent for a long while, then said bitterly, “But Senior Carefree, you’ve always helped cover for him, even helping him harvest chives.”

The golden bell remained silent for a moment before saying, “I did it for the sake of ascension, too. Only by harvesting human elixirs, obtaining the six secrets, and refining the six immortal herbs, could he extend his life and raise his strength. Only then could he face the super heavenly tribulation and ascend!

“When that time comes, what does something as trivial as harvesting chives matter? You’ll be standing at the top, bathed in glory. Who would still remember these things?”

Xue Ying’an sank in defeat, his spirit shattered.

The bell said haughtily, “Over the past three thousand years, he has harvested numerous immortal herbs and transplanted countless grotto heavens of the six secrets. If he hadn’t betrayed me for someone new, I wouldn’t have exposed his deeds. But since he has abandoned all loyalty, I shall respond in kind! He cherishes his reputation, so I shall destroy exactly that!”

He approached Xu Ying and said, “You both hold Origin Dao Essence within you, which can help him refine the immortal herbs of the six secrets. If I am to avenge myself, I’ve to ensure that his schemes fail!”

Just then, an eerie sigh came from outside. “Carefree, you’ve revealed everything I was going to do. It makes things very difficult for me.”

This voice belonged to Li Xiaoke!

The Carefree Bell couldn’t help but shudder, then laughed out loud. “Difficult? Then don’t do it! You started this, so don’t blame me! Today, I shall shatter this realm of yours and expose all your deeds to the world!”

Xue Ying’an stood up and went over to Xu Ying’s side. Yuanqi also grew alert and whispered, “Ah Ying, do you have a way to escape this place?”

Xu Ying’s expression turned grave. Even with the golden bell changing sides, their chances of winning this battle were minuscule.

Li Xiaoke was simply too powerful, and with the bell severely wounded by Dazhong, it could not possibly be a match for him! He walked in from outside and entered the Renowned Fragrance Cottage. His gaze swept over Xue Ying’an’s face, then fell on Xu Ying’s. He bowed slightly and sighed.

“Fellow Daoist Xu, I apologize for letting you witness my own shameful domestic affairs.”

Xu Ying returned the bow and smiled. “I’ve long heard about your deeds. So, I wasn’t particularly surprised.”

Li Xiaoke turned his gaze to the bell. He said, sounding completely sincere, “Carefree, don’t you understand my intentions? I only hit you for your own good. Watching that broken bell suppress and seal you hurt my heart, but I had no idea how to break those strange rune imprints. That’s why I had to wrong you. I didn’t expect you to resent me over this!”

The golden bell said furiously, “You sided with that wretched bell, and even said that I sneak-attacked it and have poor moral character!”

Li Xiaoke sighed. “I was just desperate to protect you. Think about it. If I hadn’t pacified that wretched bell first, how could I have understood its immortal Dao runes? Carefree, you and I are the true partners! You don’t really think I like it, do you? It’s made of bronze, and even its runes aren’t symmetrical!”

The Carefree Bell softened its tone and said sheepishly, “I knew you weren’t that kind of person. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have misunderstood you.”

Xu Ying was dumbfounded.

Yuanqi hurriedly said, “Senior Carefree, we’re on the same side! Have you forgotten? He betrayed you!”

Li Xiaoke said gently, “We’re going to ascend together and never abandon each other. Once I understand the immortal Dao runes on it, I’ll copy them onto you. Aren’t I doing all this for your sake?”

The Carefree Bell unleashed its might, suppressing Xu Ying, Yuanqi, and Xue Ying’an behind him. “Fellow Daoist, what should we do about these three?”

The trio was shocked and enraged. Yuanqi reared his head high and shouted angrily, “Like master, like treasure! Li Xiaoke, Carefree Bell, you shameless couple, kill us or slice us apart, do whatever you want! But hand Master Zhong over! Master Zhong! Master Zhong!”

Li Xiaoke summoned the bronze bell and said calmly, “When I first forged this bell, it didn’t bear many of my marks. Now that I’ve rebranded it, it’s finally under my complete control. Do you think it can still escape from my grasp?”

He spread his palm wide. Dazhong floated directly above it, struggling to break free of his control, yet it couldn’t move an inch.

Xue Ying’an flew into a rage and looked up. “Li Xiaoke, my sibling disciples will definitely expose your true colors!”

Li Xiaoke smiled. “That won’t happen, foolish disciple. Who do you think they will believe? You or me? Moreover, I invited Fellow Daoist Xu to the mountain, yet he harbored ulterior motives and plotted with you to stab me in the back.”

Xue Ying’an froze for a moment, then protested, “I didn’t do any of that!”

“If I say you did, then you did.”

A gleam of excitement flashed in Li Xiaoke’s eyes. “You conspired with outsiders to assassinate me, planning to take over Mount Jiulong and make yourself the sect master. Fortunately, Carefree Bell uncovered your scheme, subdued you, and saved my life.

“I treated you like my own son, yet you harbored wild ambitions and betrayed the sect. However, for the sake of our master-disciple bond, I won’t kill you. Instead, you and Fellow Daoist Xu will be exiled together.”

The Carefree Bell chimed in excitedly, “Exile them from Jiucailing Ridge and drive them off to the Land of Heavenly Retribution! Then hunt them down, just like how we hunted the first senior brother back then!”

Li Xiaoke grew increasingly excited. ”This is a hunting game. Everyone on Mount Jiulong will believe that I have exiled you. But I simply don’t want them to know that I’m about to absorb you.”

At the peak of Jiucailing Ridge on Mount Jiulong, Xu Ying and Xue Ying’an were shackled at the ankles. Yuanqi was also chained by his black-and-white horns.

All across Jiucailing Ridge, Xue Ying’an’s sibling disciples glared at them with fury, wishing nothing more than to eliminate them on the spot.

They all believed that Xue Ying’an had colluded with Xu Ying to assassinate their master. No one was willing to listen to Xue Ying’an’s defense.

Li Xiaoke sighed. “Ying’an, even though you’ve abandoned all honor, I cannot reciprocate in kind. I treated you like my own son, and I cannot bring myself to execute you. Today, I shall exile you to the Land of Heavenly Retribution. You are on your own.”

As if unable to bear the sight, he covered his face with his robe and waved his hand to dismiss them.

The disciples immediately stepped forward and pushed the trio off Jiucailing Ridge, sending them plummeting into the Land of Heavenly Retribution below.

Jiucailing Ridge on Mount Jiulong hung suspended in the sky, its peak pointing toward the earth. It stood more than ten li above the ground.

Without any delay, Xue Ying’an used his divine sense to retrieve the flying sword in his ethereal void. Gripping the flying sword, he severed his left leg!

He endured the agonizing pain, though cold sweat still poured from his forehead, and handed the flying sword to Xu Ying.

He said, “Brother Xu, these chains carry the sealing technique of my sect. Those bound by it can’t mobilize their cultivation. If we hit the ground, we will surely die. You should sever your own leg—”

Before he could even finish his sentence, he saw Xu Ying raise his hand. His entire arm radiated light, materializing mysterious, unfathomable rune imprints.

Xu Ying swiped his hand downward like a blade, cutting the chains.

Xue Ying’an froze in shock.

Xu Ying freed himself from the chains and explained, “These are Heavenly Dao runes. I comprehended them when I obtained the Dragon Abyss heavenly god’s arm. Your master’s seal cannot bind the Heavenly Dao.”

Xue Ying’an’s severed leg was still trembling, blood gushing out.

Xu Ying’s gaze fell on his leg, and he sighed. “Ying’an, you acted too quickly. I couldn’t even stop you in time.”

Then, he severed the chains binding Yuanqi’s black and white horns, allowing the latter to regain his cultivation. Yuanqi looked at Xue Ying’an’s severed leg, still gushing blood, and sighed.

“You’re too impatient.”

He lowered his voice and said, “Ah Ying, should we treat him?”

Xu Ying whispered back, “You learn from your mistakes. Let him commit this lesson to memory first, or he’ll do the same next time.”

Xue Ying’an endured the excruciating pain and shouted, “Lower your voices! I can hear you, you know!”

1. Emperor Shun (舜), one of the legendary Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors of ancient China. ☜