Ascension Day

The staff-wielding old man heard Xu Ying and the others' voices from a distance. The youths were talking and laughing, their voices punctuated by the occasional chime of a bell and the hissing laughter of a large snake.

'However happy you laugh now is how terrified you'll be later,' the staff-wielding old man sneered to himself. 'I'm having this meal all to myself, so I have to make this quick before the other old ghosts show up!'

Xu Ying was the first to enter the gate. Guo Xiaodie had just said something, and the young man was turning back as he stepped through, laughing. "...It's the middle of the night, who would leave two footprints on your chest? Unless it was a ghost?"

As he was speaking, Da Zhong suddenly materialized behind him. Its power surged, and with a resounding CLANG, the deafening toll sent everyone reeling.

On Da Zhong's surface, thick, simple rings of texture floated and spun in the air. The patterns of all living things carved on its inner wall seemed to come alive at that moment, bursting forth with boundless vitality and immense power.

Xu Ying was puzzled, not knowing why Da Zhong had suddenly erupted. Then he heard a muffled groan and quickly looked over. He saw the staff-wielding old man—the same one who had told them this place was haunted—plastered against the wall of the Demon Suppression Hall by the bell's force.

Xu Ying quickly said, "Lord Zhong, that's the old gentleman with the staff! He's not a bad guy!"

Da Zhong immediately reined in its surging power and stammered, "I sensed Yin Qi rapidly approaching you, and I smelled the scorched scent of a Thunder Tribulation, so I panicked. I was afraid my meal ticket... I mean, I was afraid you'd be harmed by a Fierce Ghost, so I acted. I never thought I'd hurt our benefactor!"

The staff-wielding old man had nearly had his soul scattered by the blast. Hearing this, he quickly said, "I *am* a ghost, of course I have Yin Qi. I failed to cross my tribulation back in the day, and my Primordial Spirit was shattered. That's why even as a ghost, I carry the scorched scent of a Thunder Tribulation. You kids, why are you back again? Hurry up and pry me off this wall!"

Xu Ying flew forward and pried him off the wall.

Seeing Xu Ying so close, the staff-wielding old man's malice surged. He glanced back, then thrust his sharp claws into Xu Ying's body, intending to rip out his soul and devour it on the spot.

But as soon as his claws touched Xu Ying's skin, he made contact with his soul—and it was solid. He couldn't budge it at all. The impact even broke all five of his fingers.

Xu Ying glanced back at him, puzzled, then turned away again to continue talking with Guo Xiaodie.

"It was the night Feng Xian'Er came looking for you," Guo Xiaodie said, recounting the incident with a click of her tongue in wonder. "I was sleeping soundly, and when I woke up, I was wearing someone else's old clothes, with a footprint on each side of my chest."

The staff-wielding old man's face twisted in pain. He hurriedly straightened his five broken fingers, his mind reeling with shock and disbelief. 'My Physical Body and Primordial Spirit were destroyed by the Celestial Tribulation, and while my remaining soul isn't what it used to be, it still retains a sliver of my Primordial Spirit's power. Forget some kid, I could have killed even a Ghost King with that strike! How is this brat's soul so hard?'

Xu Ying remembered that one of the footprints on Guo Xiaodie's chest was his own. Feeling a bit guilty, he changed the subject with a laugh. "Xiaodie, how's your understanding of the Sword Control Technique coming along? If there's anything you don't get, feel free to ask me. I guarantee I can teach you."

Guo Xiaodie murmured in response.

Yuan Weiyang looked up and around. "It's getting dark, we should go. At night, who knows what this place will turn into. It might become part of the Underworld. If we're late, we won't be able to leave!"

Xu Ying agreed, turning back to the staff-wielding old man. "Thank you for looking after us, Senior. We juniors will be back tomorrow!"

One by one, they jumped into the water vat, disappearing with a splash.

A vicious gleam appeared in the staff-wielding old man's eyes. He saw the Snake Demon bringing up the rear, his head already submerged in the vat. The old man was overjoyed. 'Look at this snake! So plump and cute. Its Qi Blood is abundant—it must be a great supplement for Yang Qi. I'll start my feast with this Big Snake!'

He flew forward, the nails on both his hands growing wildly as he plunged them toward Yuan Qi's tail!

At that very moment, the tip of Yuan Qi's tail flicked up. Coiled around it was a Cyan Paper Umbrella, which opened with a soft *POP*. Inside the umbrella seemed to be a hidden sun, blazing hotter than any fire.

Bathed in its light, the staff-wielding old man let out a blood-curdling shriek. He was locked onto by the Cyan Paper Umbrella and flew uncontrollably into it, screaming, "The Cyan Sun Treasure Umbrella! Impervious to all techniques, warding off all evil... It truly lives up to its name!"

In an instant, his soul was refined into nothingness. The last speck of his Undying True Spirit was sent by the paper umbrella into Yuan Qi's body, strengthening his own True Spirit.

*SWOOSH!*

The Cyan Paper Umbrella snapped shut, returning to its original state.

This paper umbrella was what Yuan Qi usually used to shield himself from the sun. He would curl the tip of his tail to hold it over his head. He never thought it would end up saving his life.

Yuan Qi noticed the commotion and pulled his head out of the vat again. He looked back, puzzled. "I thought I heard something... That old gentleman sure is fast! To ensure our safety, he stood guard here beforehand and left right after seeing us off."

"There's still kindness, even in the Underworld!" he exclaimed with emotion, before diving back into the water vat.

Xu Ying parted ways with Yuan Weiyang and Guo Xiaodie, then decided to just move into Wutong Palace. After all, Feng Xian'Er had fled, so the place was empty anyway.

Since Xu Ying was moving into Wutong Palace, Da Zhong and Yuan Qi naturally had to move in as well. The two of them immediately ran off to pick their rooms.

A knock came from the door. Xu Ying opened it to find Guo Xiaodie. The young woman fidgeted for a long time without stating her purpose, then suddenly took out a thin scroll and slapped it into Xu Ying's hand.

Xu Ying was taken aback.

Guo Xiaodie said, "You're going to teach me the Sword Control Technique, and I can't just take advantage of you. The Dragon-Seeking Positioning Technique from my Guo Family's Jiang Palace Secret Treasury is forbidden to be taught to outsiders. But every Guo Family daughter gets one exception—she can teach it to her husband. I'm sure that the man *I*, Guo Xiaodie, marry will be a great hero who stands tall between heaven and earth, someone who wouldn't care about my family's little tricks. So, I'm giving you my dowry in advance. That way, I'm not breaking the Guo Family's rules!"