Ascension Day

A third Great Cauldron materialized, followed by a fourth, then a fifth…

In just a few moments, the miniature Divine Land within the Lishan Mausoleum vanished without a trace. In its place were the Nine Tripods, arranged according to the layout of Kyushu, sitting in the nine cardinal directions of the mausoleum, each corresponding to one of the nine provinces!

The entire landscape of mountains and rivers of the Divine Land within the Lishan Mausoleum had been an illusion created by these Nine Tripods. Walking through it, one could see no difference between it and the real thing!

Four thousand years ago, the Qi Refiners of the Great Qin Empire used the Nine Tripods as a blueprint to map out the subterranean landscape, creating an underworld for the Ancestral Dragon.

They hoped that one day in the future, they could awaken the Ancestral Dragon to rule the world once more!

The Qi Refiners of Great Qin had also placed various seals and restrictions throughout this illusory landscape to kill any intruders. They diverted a Mercury River, raised Evil God Worms within it, and deployed the Twelve Golden Men to guard this magnificent Imperial Mausoleum!

“It’s simply magnificent!”

Zhu Chanchan exclaimed in constant amazement, “This First Emperor, the Ancestral Dragon, was truly incredible! These Nine Tripods originally belonged to Emperor Zhou, who is most likely still on the Other Shore… As Emperor Zhou’s Celestial Artisan, it is only right that I should inherit the Nine Tripods.”

At the same time, the collapsing Lishan began to fly up into the sky, pulled into the giant eye of the Abyss in the heavens.

Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang’s Divine Senses were connected to the Nine Tripods. Just as they were being dragged toward that giant eye, a sudden, overwhelmingly powerful force surged forth. It acted upon the Nine Tripods, fighting and tearing at the eye for control of them!

Both shocked and overjoyed, the two immediately seized the opportunity created by the struggle between this new force and the abyssal eye to make their escape.

Meanwhile, on the cliffs of the Abyss, humanoid figures of writhing flesh and blood also began to scramble upward, throwing the Abyss into turmoil!

Aided by that force, Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang made a final push, following the Nine Tripods out of the Abyss as their Divine Senses returned to their physical bodies.

When they opened their eyes, they saw Yuan Wuji activating his earthenware-jar-shaped Grotto Heaven. His nine Grotto Heavens had merged into one, swallowing heaven and earth as it pulled at the Nine Tripods.

They were both shocked and bewildered.

Lady Yuan looked over at them. Seeing them open their eyes, she couldn’t help but smile, saying in a low voice, “Weiyang, the Yuan Family is yours from now on. Uncle Xiao, from this day forward, you must treat her as you have treated me.”

Yuan Weiyang was still reeling in confusion when suddenly, Lady Yuan’s figure floated up. She gently slapped the back of Yuan Wuji’s head and shouted, “Go—”

Yuan Weiyang cried out, “Mother!”

The moment she cried out, she saw a thin crack appear on the back of Yuan Wuji’s head where Lady Yuan’s palm had landed, with a faint light shining out from within.

Lady Yuan’s surprise attack succeeded, and the Nine Tripods were immediately pulled up toward the sky.

Yuan Wuji had no time for anything else; he hastily stabilized his Divine Sense to regain control of the Nine Tripods.

Yuan Weiyang froze.

Seeing this, Xu Ying’s mind raced through the possibilities in a flash. He immediately grabbed her hand and retreated backward at high speed, shouting, “Flying Peak!”

The shout seemed to come out of nowhere, but Zhu Chanchan understood instantly and called out, “Which one?”

Xu Ying pointed at Yuan Wuji and yelled, “Lord Zhong!”

Da Zhong shot out with a whistle. With a BUZZ, a wall of light bloomed from within the bell as it cried out, “Ying, I don’t think I have much left in me! Don’t count on me!”

BOOM!

The Flying Peak flew in at an angle, smashing into Yuan Wuji from the side. Yuan Wuji only had time to raise a hand and put up a token defense before he was crushed beneath the mountain!

A terrifying shockwave radiated outward, blasting Xu Ying and the others. Da Zhong rang out, DANG DANG, protecting them as they were thrown back by the impact, drifting into the distance.

The outer wall of light immediately shattered. Da Zhong’s injuries had not yet healed, and this was its limit.

Xu Ying shouted, “Lord Qi, open the umbrella!”

Without a second thought, Yuan Qi unfurled a cyan paper umbrella with his tail. It opened with a BUZZ, and a cyan sun flew out from within it, shining down to protect them all.

The cyan sun sparked under the force of the shockwave, flickering like dust and smoke before gradually dimming.

The group was tossed about by the shockwave. Just as they landed, they saw the Flying Peak being thrown into the air. It came crashing down on them, already right above their heads!

Suddenly, a figure flashed, and Lady Yuan appeared before them. All eight of her Grotto Heavens opened behind her as she yelled, “Get out of here, now!”

BOOM!

Her Divine Sense met the Flying Peak, stopping the colossal magical treasure in mid-air. She then flung it backward with immense force. Xu Ying, Yuan Weiyang, and the others were caught by her Divine Sense against their will and sent landing on the Flying Peak itself!

“Go—”

With a push of her palm, the Flying Peak tore through the sky and flew away!

By now, Lishan had completely collapsed. The Flying Peak encountered no obstacles on its path and flew straight out.

Lady Yuan had taken the full force of the Flying Peak head-on in her effort to secure an escape for Yuan Weiyang. The impact sent tremors through her, causing faint cracks to appear in her eight Grotto Heavens, and a mouthful of blood surged up her throat.

She lifted her head and saw that in the distance, Yuan Wuji’s human skin had split open. It hung in tattered rags, revealing a body that shone all over with a snow-white light.

An enraged voice roared from within this Nuo Immortal: “In four thousand years, this is the first time I’ve been injured! You have infuriated me!”

Lady Yuan no longer suppressed her turbulent emotions. Unleashing her Celestial-Human Communication, she strode forward and lunged at that terrifying figure!

Her speed increased, her body transforming into a streak of light as she charged, like a moth to a flame, toward the figure emerging from Yuan Wuji’s skin!

In the sky, chaotic Divine Senses swirled. One after another, Grand Thousand Worlds hidden in the Void manifested amidst the roiling senses, appearing like celestial bodies of all sizes hanging against the Celestial Curtain.

And behind these Zhu Tian of varying sizes, the Abyss loomed like a giant eye, watching over everything.

“Ancestors, Old Matriarch, I will avenge you!”

Lady Yuan leaped with all her might, her Divine Sense sweeping toward the figure tearing its way out of the human skin. She shrieked, “Monster, fall into the Abyss with me!”

The figure stood tall amidst the light. With a simple clench of its fingers, the Nine Tripods, which had been flying toward the Abyss, froze in mid-air.

Behind it, Grotto Heaven after Grotto Heaven materialized, displaying the Sea of Chaos, Douluo Fire, the Jade Void Realm, the Nether Sea, and a complex array of other Abnormal Phenomena.

“You overestimate yourself.”

It flicked a finger, and Lady Yuan’s Divine Sense exploded.

Lady Yuan coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground, her vitality extinguished.

In her final moments, she saw the Nine Tripods descending from the sky, accompanied by a glittering golden cape and a tall figure.

“My Nine Tripods… You think you’re worthy of taking them? Ta’e!”

The Nine Tripods broke free from the abyssal eye and pressed down. A stream of Sword Qi shot out from among the stars, slashing toward the suppressed figure!

Lady Yuan saw the figure shrouded in light retreating continuously under the sword light, its body trembling violently as it was hacked and bloodied.

Suddenly, the figure in the light shot into the air and fled into the distance, sneering, “Ancestral Dragon, you only have the advantage because of your magical treasures! In terms of skill, you are no match for me!”

Lady Yuan slowly closed her eyes, a smile gracing her lips. ‘Weiyang must have escaped by now…’

The tall figure walked over and looked down at the fallen woman, somewhat puzzled. He murmured, “So weak, yet she fought so desperately. How strange.”

He turned, his glittering golden cape concealing the ruins and mountains behind him. The Nine Tripods flew up and settled into his Mysterious Domain.

Within the Mysterious Domain, the landscape was as beautiful as a painting, identical to the Divine Land.

The tall figure snatched the incoming Tai’e Sword from the air and started walking in the direction the Flying Peak had gone.

“My Immortal, you must still be alive, aren’t you?”

With a tremor of his aura, the earth split open and buried Lady Yuan.

After his cape passed, the earth closed, leaving no trace behind.