Ascension Day

Chapter 265: Chapter 126: Showdown with the Imperial Mausoleum Golden Man

Xu Ying kept up with him and mused, “Duke Xu, what if we could integrate the Nuo Technique into Qi Refining? On the one hand, we would be continuing the legacy, inheriting the ultimate skills of our predecessors. On the other, we would be forging a new path, creating a better future and laying a stronger foundation for generations to come. Wouldn’t that be better?”

He had not yet fully recovered his memories from this lifetime and was only a fourteen-year-old boy; there were many truths he could not yet comprehend.

But he felt that perhaps the revival of the Qi Refiners and the evolution of the Nuo Masters could proceed simultaneously. Nuo Masters could walk one path to test its validity, and Qi Refiners could walk another to test theirs.

Better yet, why even distinguish between Qi Refiners and Nuo Masters? Wouldn’t it be better if everyone could freely choose their own path?

Everyone could develop their talents to the fullest and be responsible for their own choices. There would be no need to fight over what is “orthodox,” because no single orthodoxy would exist. Perhaps that would be a better path.

Xu Fu stepped onto the riverbank, hundreds of Qi Refiners following behind him. He said, “This is a legacy passed down through the generations, from master to apprentice. It’s not something you can brush aside with a simple ‘Wouldn’t that be better?’ There are still Qi Refiners who can succeed in Crossing the Tribulation and Ascending to become Immortals. It is merely difficult, not impossible. But the Nuo Technique? It is fit for nothing but to be carved up like fish on a block! Zhou Qiyun has already proven it is a flawed path. A flawed path does not deserve to exist in this world—it should be annihilated!”

Up ahead, Nuo Immortals and Nuo Masters had already cleared a path to the Ancestral Dragon Hanging Coffin, and the group proceeded along it.

Xu Fu gazed forward, where Nuo Immortals battled with the Imperial Mausoleum Golden Men in a world-shattering clash. A glint in his eyes, he said, “Rather than letting these Nuo Masters and Nuo Immortals be carved up and devoured by others, they should make a real contribution. Let them be turned into an Immortal Elixir to resurrect the Ancestral Dragon! That is their finest possible end!”

Suddenly, an Imperial Mausoleum Golden Man came ashore behind them. This Golden Man was wrapped in ribbons formed from Incense Smoke Qi, which were not rigid but flowed elegantly like smoke.

Behind him manifested an Abnormal Phenomenon—a vision of the Mysterious Domain. The Five Peaks Immortal Mountain, the Celestial Mountain and Celestial River, and the Jade Pool Divine Bridge were all part of it, appearing magnificent and incredibly distinct, as if they were truly floating behind him!

His aura was immense. As the ultimate creation designed to suppress the destiny of Qi Refiners, he was revered by the world and basked in the people’s Incense and Candlelight, having already become a sacred entity.

A sacred entity with the face of Xu Ying, yet in the form of a Magical Treasure!

Hua Xianchen and the others felt a chill run down their spines and turned to look at Xu Fu. Xu Fu said nonchalantly, “You all stay here and hold off this Golden Man. I am going to resurrect the Ancestral Dragon.”

He spread his arms, and the Fangzhang Immortal Mountain carried him ever higher into the sky.

The hundreds of Qi Refiners fell silent, then turned to face the new threat. Hua Xianchen’s voice trembled as she feigned composure, shouting, “You heard him! We must hold back the Imperial Mausoleum Golden Man and buy time for Ancestor Xu Fu! The Qi Refiners… will rise again!”

Qi Qingzhou and the other Qi Refiners felt their throats go dry as they stared at the approaching Imperial Mausoleum Golden Man. They roared in reply, “We will rise again!”

Little Fengxian had also stayed behind. She turned to Xu Ying and said, “Young Master Xu, I, Feng Xian’er, will repay your kindness in my next life.”

Xu Fu paused in the sky, waving his hand to shatter the restrictive seals blocking the way, one after another.

The Fangzhang Immortal Mountain hovered in the air as Xu Fu looked down, seemingly waiting for Xu Ying.

Xu Ying glanced at the Qi Refiners, then up at Xu Fu. After a moment’s hesitation, he chose not to join Xu Fu, walking over to Feng Xian’er’s side instead.

Xu Fu was taken aback, a flicker of anger rising in his heart. ‘Still the same as four thousand years ago!’

He no longer waited for Xu Ying and flew straight toward the Ancestral Dragon Hanging Coffin, which was bathed in the Ascension Radiance.

Feng Xian’er looked back at Xu Ying in surprise. She tilted her head and asked, “Why didn’t you follow Ancestor Xu Fu?”

Xu Ying smiled. “I’m not like him. I don’t make a habit of abandoning my companions.”

The Golden Man strode forward. Even before it drew near, many of the Qi Refiners’ minds descended into chaos and madness. The residual obsessions of the masses, contained within the Incense Smoke Qi, had invaded their minds and thrown their Dao Hearts into disarray!

The maddened Qi Refiners began to scream, unleashing Divine Powers and summoning Magical Treasures. They attacked indiscriminately, striking friend and foe alike and injuring many in an instant.

The group fell into utter chaos. At that moment, the Golden Man waved a massive hand. Countless Flying Swords shot forth, and Sword Qi filled the sky, threatening to annihilate everyone in a single sweep!

Little Fengxian’s body suddenly shuddered, and she revealed her True Phoenix Form. Taking to the air with a powerful beat of her wings, she whipped up fierce gales to meet the attack, instantly deflecting countless streams of Sword Qi.

Those deflected streams of Sword Qi tore through the air, gouging furrows in the earth that stretched for miles.

Had any of them been struck by that Sword Qi, it’s doubtful more than a few of the Qi Refiners could have survived!

Little Fengxian opened her beak and shrieked. As she spiraled into the air, clusters of Phoenix Divine Fire shot out from beneath her wings. The balls of fire rained down on the Golden Man and erupted, instantly engulfing it in a sea of flames!

Suddenly, a massive hand, burned glowing-red, burst from the sea of flames and snatched at Little Fengxian.

Little Fengxian’s heart sank in despair. ‘The Golden Man was forged using Phoenix Fire… How am I supposed to fight this?’

The Golden Man must have been forged using the flames of an adult Phoenix. Little Fengxian was not yet mature, so her flames were simply not hot enough to melt him.

Little Fengxian beat her wings to evade, then, treating her wings as blades, she sliced at the grasping hand.

Suddenly, the Golden Man’s other palm flew in. Its two hands clapped together with a tremendous CLANG! The impact created a thunderous, bell-like shockwave, nearly as powerful as a strike from Da Zhong, that blasted viciously toward Little Fengxian!

Just then, Da Zhong shot sideways, positioning itself in front of Little Fengxian. DONG! The two Divine Powers collided, unleashing a violent wave of energy. It formed a vertical, spinning disk that expanded outward, slicing up, down, left, and right!