Ascension Day

"Xu Fu?" Xu Ying felt the name was vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t recall where he’d heard it. He took the invitation from the young man’s hand.

The text on the invitation was quite elegant, in the style of the Qin and Han Periods. It read: "Since our parting four thousand years ago, I have not had the pleasure of meeting you again, and have missed you dearly. Now, I have returned from the Immortal Island and hope to see Xu Master again. From Xu Fu, with deepest respect."

Yuan Qi glanced at the contents of the invitation, his expression a mix of shock and doubt. He said, "Xu Fu? Could it be *the* Xu Fu, the one who led three thousand child maidens and boys overseas to search for the Immortal Island and seek the Elixir of Immortality for Emperor Zulong?"

Xu Ying asked, "Xiaoqi, is this Xu Fu very famous?"

Yuan Qi said, "More than famous! He was a Qi Refiner from over four thousand years ago who told Emperor Zulong that there was an Immortal Island overseas, with Immortals on it who had not yet undergone Ascension. So Emperor Zulong gave him three thousand child maidens and boys and ordered him to seek the Elixir of Immortality. In the end, he never returned. Some say he found the Immortal Island but there was only one Elixir, which he took for himself. Others say he never found the island and went into hiding, fearing the Ancestral Dragon would execute him. And some just say he was a charlatan. I’ve read similar accounts in many books!"

The young man who delivered the invitation smiled. "If my master were a charlatan, he couldn’t possibly have lived until now. The Ancestral Dragon is long gone, yet my master still lives on. Doesn’t that prove he found the Longevity Immortal Elixir?"

Xu Ying put down the invitation. "Your master didn’t say when or where to meet me. He only had you bring this invitation. It shows a lack of sincerity. You should go back."

The young man said, "My master said that if the Old Ancestor wishes to know his origins, it would be best to make the trip."

Xu Ying’s heart jolted. His gaze fell upon the young man’s face. "What else did your master say?"

The young man smiled. "My master didn’t say much else, only that the Old Ancestor would definitely go."

This was the first time anyone had called Xu Ying "Old Ancestor." Hearing this, he burst out laughing. "Alright, since Xu Fu has extended such a warm invitation, how could I refuse?"

The young man bowed. "This junior will lead the way for the Old Ancestor."

Xu Ying asked, "What’s your name?"

"This junior is Du Fei."

Xu Ying waved his hand, telling Niu Zhen to take Du Fei to rest for a while. "I need to prepare. Please wait a moment."

Xu Ying opened the invitation and looked it over several times. Curious, he asked, "Lord Qi, this Xu Fu person says he knew me four thousand years ago. Just how old am I?"

Yuan Qi glanced at Da Zhong. The great bell let out a DONG. "That’s hard to say," it said. "You used to always talk about the Xu Family’s Field, and we originally thought there was something wrong with your head. Later, we realized the problem was actually with your memory. Then we discovered you were three thousand years old. After that, we found out you seemed to be even older than three thousand."

It sighed. "And now, you’ve become four thousand years old."

Zhu Chanchan opened her mouth to speak, but after a moment’s thought, she held her tongue. ’He might be even older than four thousand,’ she thought. ’In my era, there was also a legend about an undying Immortal. But could that Immortal be him?’

She had been responsible for refining Magical Treasures for Emperor Zhou. She usually lived in seclusion and had only heard rumors of the undying Immortal, never having seen his face.

Da Zhong said, "Ying, your memory hasn’t fully returned yet. You can’t even make sense of your current life. In my opinion, you shouldn’t go see this Xu Fu."

It paused for a moment before adding, "Showing up suddenly after four thousand years... they’re either here to borrow money or they’re up to no good!"

Xu Ying shook his head. "He saw me four thousand years ago and knows my origins. I have to go see him. This might be the only chance to unravel the mystery of my past."

Seeing that his mind was made up, Da Zhong turned to Zhu Chanchan and said, "Grand Ancestor Chanchan, don’t you have a Magical Treasure hidden in the Divine Land? I’m afraid this trip will be dangerous. You should go retrieve your treasure first."

Zhu Chanchan immediately perked up and said with a smile, "My Magical Treasure is incredibly powerful. When Emperor Zhou ordered me to refine treasures for him, I collected all the leftover materials. A little became a lot, and eventually, I had gathered enough precious materials to refine a little darling of my own!"

She flew off, calling back with a laugh, "Before I went to steal the Immortal Elixir, I sealed away my Magical Treasure. It’s just been so long that it will take me a few days to find it. You can go on ahead. I’ll find you!"

Da Zhong asked Yuan Qi, "She said she’ll find us. How is she going to find us?"

Yuan Qi replied, "How else? On Ying’s Stone Axe, of course. She left her mark on it, which is how we found Ying in the first place. It’s not like she could have left a mark on us, right?"

Da Zhong said worriedly, "That’s exactly what I’m worried about."

Yuan Qi laughed. "Grand Ancestor Chanchan would never do that!"

Despite his words, he was still uneasy and hurriedly checked himself over, just in case Zhu Chanchan had placed some strange mark on him.

Xu Ying summoned the brothers Niu Zhen and Niu Qian and instructed them, "I and your Master Niu will be away for a few days. You are to guard the gate and practice diligently. When I return, I will inspect the progress of your Cultivation." And so on.

However, since Xu Ying’s memory had not fully returned, all of these words were whispered into his ear by Yuan Qi. Yuan Qi would say a line, and Xu Ying would repeat it. That was all.

After giving his instructions, Xu Ying called for Du Fei. "Lead the way."

Du Fei bowed and assented, "This Disciple has prepared a carriage at the foot of the mountain."

Xu Ying went down the mountain with Yuan Qi and Da Zhong. At the foot of the mountain, he saw a perfectly square carriage, similar to a sedan chair. It was constructed from thick dragonwood, joined by mortise and tenon, with steps leading up to the edge.

At each of the carriage’s four corners sat a Sword Child, leaning on a Sword Box in a half-squatting, half-kneeling posture. They stared straight ahead without a word.

Xu Ying glanced at the Sword Children. Du Fei smiled and said, "Old Ancestor, they are Qi Refiners at the Cross-Refining Stage. Is their Cultivation satisfactory?"