Day of Ascension

After Xu Ying left, the supreme will of the Heavenly Dao Universe rumbled through the sky above the Heavenly God Palace like thunder.

“Can you trace his origins?”

“No such person was found.”

“Trace his birthplace.”

“No such place exists. ”

“Trace his parents.”

“Too many results. Unable to inquire.”

The supreme will fell silent. After a long moment, a heavenly god asked, “My lord, should we report this to higher powers?”

“Don’t report it for now. We might offend someone... suppress it.”

The supreme will boomed like thunder, his voice rumbling. “Treat today’s events as if they never happened. Erase all records on the Heavenly Dao Divine Artifact. Plague God, you are not to seek revenge.”

“We obey your command.”

Outside the Heavenly God Hall, Yuanqi and Yuan Weiyang stood speechless. Yuanqi was especially bewildered. No wrongdoings? He had taken part in many of Xu Ying’s wrongdoings! How did that make sense?

Were his cases also dismissed?

Xu Ying explained, “I’m really innocent, more than anyone. The heavenly gods of the Heavenly God Hall pulled my records and checked my past three lifetimes. It’s squeaky clean, with no criminal records. Ask Master Zhong if you don’t believe me!”

You’re lying! Zhou Qiyun desperately wanted to point at him and accuse him of spouting nonsense, but he held it in.

Not even he could face the myriad gods of Heavenly God Hall simultaneously and survive. They wield Heavenly Dao Divine Artifacts, such as Heavenly Principles, Heavenly Laws, Heavenly Justice, and Heavenly Enforcement. Their power was unmatched.

The third task Zhou Qiyun would undertake in the future concerned the Heavenly Dao World. He understood the power of the Heavenly Dao World all too well.

Once the Heavenly God Hall deemed you guilty, even stepping on an ant was punishable by death!

To the Heavenly God Hall, every person was born with sin. If they wish to punish you, nothing could be easier. They wielded supreme authority and could convict anyone for anything.

Xu Ying was certainly no innocent. Along his journey, he had slain gods and murdered officials. His crimes were too numerous to count. Even at the Locust-Flower Palace, about a dozen Zhou clan descendants had died at his hands!

Yet, Xu Ying had walked out of the Heavenly God Hall in one piece. The result shocked Zhou Qiyun so deeply that he no longer treated Xu Ying with the same arrogance.

“Heavenly gods cannot step out of places of ascension. They are far too powerful for the mortal world to tolerate.”

Zhou Qiyun composed himself and didn’t press Xu Ying any further on how he returned alive. Instead, he answered his question earlier.

“A heavenly god’s descent requires sufficient offerings to the heavens. They can only descend through the open passageway. The heavenly gods of the Heavenly God Hall can’t step out of it. As for whether places of ascension deteriorate over time, I have never heard of such a thing.”

Xu Ying asked humbly, “Old Ancestor Zhou, can heavenly gods descend completely from the Heavenly Dao World into the mortal world?”

Zhou Qiyun shook his head. “I have never heard of such a thing.”

Xu Ying turned to ask Yuan Weiyang the same, and she shook her head as well.

“Me neither. My clan has a rich collection of books. Perhaps there are records of heavenly gods descending into the mortal world.”

Xu Ying looked toward Yuanqi. He shook his head, saying, “My family’s collection has no such records either.”

That left Xu Ying with doubts. Aside from the coffin maiden, Dazhong had also suppressed a massive creature in the well of the rocky mountain, and he claimed it was a heavenly god! That meant that heavenly gods could actually descend completely.

So, why were there no such records? Also, why had Dazhong been suppressing a heavenly god? More accurately, why had Dazhong’s master suppressed a heavenly god?

Now that the heavenly god had broken free, there was no telling what trouble it would cause.

Master Zhong was simultaneously suppressing the coffin maiden and a heavenly god. Just how powerful must he have been at peak condition?

Glancing at Zhou Qiyun, Xu Ying thought, He shouldn’t be any inferior to Zhou Qiyun, right? Too bad Master Zhong has become “open-minded” now.

The Underworld Court lay ahead. Only now did Xu Ying have the chance to observe the massive organization governing the underworld. From afar, countless towering statues stood among immense mountains and rivers. Between them floated vibrant Radiant Vestige lands of sublimation.

The statues dwarfed the mountains. The peaks only reached their waists. Incomparably dense incense qi enveloped them, forming ribbons that merged into thick cloud layers. Magnificent buildings floated atop those clouds.

These buildings were the Radiant Vestige lands of sublimation, each an immortal realm. Together, they formed the main body of the Underworld Court.

Long streets connected these immortal realms. On either side of the streets were buildings of varying heights growing out in all directions. Since this was the underworld, the structures floated freely in the sky. It made no difference whether a house stood upright or upside down to its ghostly residents.

Some underworld gods had opened shops here, running all kinds of businesses.

The Underworld Court’s full name was the Celestial Court of the Underworld. Xu Ying had assumed this place would be heavily shrouded in Yin qi, with overwhelming ghostly energy. Instead, the Radiant Vestige lands of sublimation filled it with dazzling colors. The mortal world possessed few landscapes as magnificent.

Xu Ying and the others followed Zhou Qiyun onto the streets of the Underworld Court. Here, the smell of incense filled the air.

Suddenly, something bumped into Xu Ying’s leg. Looking down, he saw numerous short and stumpy earth gods running down the streets, carrying letters in their hands. “We’re late, we’re late!”

One of the earth gods shouted, “My matter is the most urgent! Step aside, step aside, all of you! The fierce outlaw of Lingling County, Zhou Qiyun, has entered the Underworld Court! He has delivered himself to our doorsteps. Kill him to demonstrate the might of heaven!”

The other earth gods hurriedly made way, allowing him to run to the front in the blink of an eye.

Zhou Qiyun said unhurriedly, “The Imperial Annals state that these earth gods are responsible for conveying messages. They report the daily events of every region to the Underworld Court. The court gods, those in charge of information, would process and compile these reports.

“This ensures nothing in either the mortal realm or the underworld can escape the notice of the Underworld Court.”

Xu Ying was deeply shaken. Earth gods were the most common deities. One could find them not only in the mountains, but also in small villages. Even city streets contained shrines dedicated to them.

These earth gods were well-informed. If all their information were compiled in the Underworld Court, then the court truly held all matters beneath the heavens in its grasp.

Xu Ying said, “Emperor Zhidao Dasheng was truly far-sighted when he forged an agreement with the Underworld Court and unified imperial and divine authority.”

Zhou Qiyun nodded lightly. “He pacified the Underworld Court, unified the Divine Land, and established a divine kingdom on land. With both authorities unified, he eliminated any future dangers. Afterward, he indulged in debauchery and handed immense power to eunuchs and ministers. It proves that lust can ruin a nation.”

Yuan Weiyang raised her eyebrows. “What about ministers?”

Zhou Qiyun replied indifferently, “I am a powerful minister. If not for Emperor Zhidao Dasheng indulging in debauchery, would I have had the opportunity to rise to power?”

Another earth god rushed forward, shouting, “The lowlife snake catcher of Yongzhou, Zhou Qiyun, has arrived at the Gate of the Ghosts! He has come to throw his life away!”

A crowd of earth gods yelled frantically as they hid everywhere, “That fiend has come to attack!”

Another green-skinned ghost cried out, “I’m a warrior of the ghost gate. If that snake catcher dares to take even half a step in, I’ll cut him down with my ghost-head saber!”

Taken aback, Yuanqi said, “Old Ancestor Zhou, it seems your reputation in the Underworld Court isn’t very good.”

Zhou Qiyun let out a snort and continued forward. As they passed the Gate of the Ghosts, that warrior dropped his ghost-head saber and fled so quickly that onlookers stared in disbelief.

Another earth god ran past, shouting, “The Zhou clan’s old ancestor has stormed the Soul Return Gate! The ghost general of the Soul Return Gate is fighting fiercely and refusing to surrender!”

Before the ghost general guarding the Soul Return Gate even came into contact with Zhou Qiyun’s group, he had already abandoned his armor and fled in terror.

Surprised, Yuanqi said, “Their tone this time is much more respectful.”

Beyond the Soul Return Gate stood the Ghost King Hall. Another earth god raced past, shouting, “Grandmaster Zhou of the mortal realm has arrived in the Underworld Court to pay a visit to the Ghost King!”

The gates of the Ghost King Hall slammed shut. Clearly, the Ghost King was unwilling to welcome Zhou Qiyun.

Upon reaching the Judge’s Mansion, another earth god cried out loud, “The Zhou clan’s Exorcist Immortal has graced us with his presence! Minor gods of the Underworld Court, why have you not knelt to welcome him?”

Another earth god called out, “Quick! Embroider the dragon banner! Replace the Underworld Court Emperor’s banner and raise Emperor Zhou’s banner instead!”

Upon arriving at the Yama’s Palace, rows of underworld gods stood on both sides of the path. They offered formal greetings and kowtowed in unison.

Then, someone cried out, “Honored immortal, we minor gods offer these delicacies and humbly await your arrival with your royal army to overthrow the tyrannical rule of the Underworld Court Emperor!”

All kinds of delicacies were laid out on the street in front of Yama’s Palace. Enchanting female ghosts played instruments, sang, and danced.

A female ghost called out, “Whoever wins the title of courtesan queen tonight shall enter the palace to serve the emperor in bed!”

Zhou Qiyun laughed out loud and said in a booming voice, “Why does the Underworld Court Emperor need to resort to such tricks to fool me? Zhou Qiyun of the mortal realm has come to pay his respects. Please grant me an audience!”

As soon as his voice faded, streams of immortal light rose from the Radiant Vestige lands of sublimation in the underworld. Towering figures emerged from them. They floated gracefully with otherworldly bearing, their auras stirring the sky above the Underworld Court. Winds surged and clouds churned in response.

Blinding light burst from the supreme hall ahead. The light manifested as a god whose flowing robes completely shrouded the hall. His sleeves billowed endlessly while dazzling brilliance radiated from him. Every ray was immortal light, making him appear incomparably sacred.

The immortal light was so intense that one could hardly look directly at it.

Zhou Qiyun’s expression grew slightly solemn. This was a Primordial Spirit.

Although he had drawn upon the strengths of various schools and excavated ancient tombs and grotto heavens to restore the Qi Cultivators’ cultivation system, he still had yet to manifest a Primordial Spirit.

His soul was immensely formidable, but it was still only a soul, after all. Compared to the Underworld Court Emperor’s Primordial Spirit, it was far too lacking!

Zhou Qiyun scanned his surroundings, noticing that the Exorcist Immortals hidden in the various Radiant Vestige lands of sublimation all possessed powerful auras. Every one of them was an extraordinary figure. Most of them, however, were already dead, retaining only their soul essences and lacking physical bodies.

The immortal light enveloping the Underworld Court Emperor gradually faded. He withdrew his aura and smiled.

“Underworld Court Emperor is nothing more than a title. If I can hold it, so can you. Fellow Daoist Zhou can come to the Underworld Court once you pass away. I’ll cede my position to you.”

Zhou Qiyun stepped forward and smiled. “I have no interest in the afterlife. I seek eternal life. I seek to overcome my tribulation and ascend as an immortal!”

The Underworld Court Emperor burst out laughing. The immortal light enveloping him vanished completely. He withdrew his Primordial Spirit and returned to the hall.

His voice echoed eerily from within. “Who doesn’t wish for that? Even I wish to return to the mortal realm and live as a carefree immortal. Patriarch Zhou, you're already an Exorcist Immortal in the mortal realm, free and unfettered. What more could you want?”

Hummm.

Immortal light suddenly burst out from the hall, shooting straight toward Zhou Qiyun as he climbed the steps, as if intent on engulfing him!

Zhou Qiyun paused as his Divine Land Radiant Vestige spread out in all directions.

He exclaimed in shock, “You’re a ghost immortal?”

Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang had stopped long ago and never followed Zhou Qiyun. Even from a distance, the two experts' terrifying auras weighed on them. Their hearts pounded wildly, suffocating them.

Not only that, their divine senses were somewhat thrown into disarray. An incomprehensible Dao art invaded them from the immortal light, affecting their thoughts.

Uncle Xiao stood before them, enduring the discomfort. “Retreat!”

Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang hurriedly pulled back. Yuanqi also turned and fled in panic, only feeling better when they had retreated to the Judge’s Mansion.

Zhou Qiyun’s voice drifted over. “Underworld Court Emperor, you were an immortal whose physical body was destroyed, leaving only your Primordial Spirit. That's why you became a ghost immortal. Am I correct?”

“The difference between possessing a physical body and lacking one is enormous. Although you’re a ghost immortal, you’re no match for an Exorcist Immortal with a physical form!”

Waves of terrifying tremors came from within Yama’s Palace, erupting everywhere. The shockwaves swept through everything in their path. Even Uncle Xiao couldn’t withstand it. Blood trickled down the corner of his lips as he struggled to steady himself.

With a bell chime, a great bell appeared and descended. As soon as Dazhong collided with the shockwave, he let out a deafening clang. Dragons or snake-like patterns emerged on his surface, overflowing with dazzling light, then transforming into a thick wall of light that enveloped the group.

Suddenly, the ghost Exorcist Immortals extended their fingers from within the lands of sublimation. Their Radiant Vestige shot out in an instant, carrying heavy Dao avatars, and pressed toward Yama’s Palace.

Xu Ying felt a warmth in his nostrils. As he wiped his nose, blood covered his hand. The Dao avatars hidden in the ghost Exorcist Immortals’ Radiant Vestige had exerted so much pressure that he bled.

He looked toward Yuan Weiyang, Uncle Xiao, and Yuanqi. They were also bleeding from their seven orifices from the pressure!

Xu Ying shouted, “Master Zhong, you must hold on!”

Dazhong groaned, then suddenly flipped sideways and spun away, crying, “I can’t hold on anymore! Time to run!”

The aftermath of the collision with the terrifying Dao avatar struck Dazhong. He bounced up and down, tolling along as he smashed through the buildings in his path, crashing down the long street.

Inside the bell, Xu Ying reassured Yuan Weiyang and Uncle Xiao, who were still in shock. “Don’t worry, Master Zhong can endure this. I’ve already come across this kind of situation many times now.”

Clang!

Dazhong smashed a hole through the Gate of the Ghosts, clanging all the way as he tumbled down the Underworld Court.

Curled up in a ball, Yuanqi suddenly came to a realization. “Wait, does this mean we can shake off Zhou Qiyun now?”