Ascension Day

The Pei Family’s carriage traveled on a path formed from Incense Smoke Qi, speeding toward the Guo Mansion. Suddenly, Xu Ying saw a tall figure descend from the sky and land in front of them.

He was an elderly Confucian Scholar who exuded an air of awe-inspiring righteousness.

’I’ve seen him in the Pei Family’s forbidden lands!’ Xu Ying’s heart stirred.

Within the Grotto Heavens of the Pei Family lay the interred remains of the Pei Clan’s Nuo Immortals—nothing more than empty husks. Among them was just such an elderly Confucian Scholar. He hadn’t been eaten whole—only his Five Viscera and bowels had been hollowed out.

However, the Jade Pool Secret Treasury was located about an inch and a third below the navel. The entirety of a Pei Family expert’s Cultivation resided there. Once their Five Viscera and bowels were hollowed out, their Cultivation would dissipate like smoke into thin air.

What’s more, this Pei Clan Nuo Immortal’s Divine Soul had also been devoured. What now controlled his Flesh Body was merely a wisp of lingering will.

Suddenly, more powerful figures descended from the sky, landing on the path and keeping pace with the speeding carriage.

"The Nuo Immortals have returned to the Mortal World!"

Someone in the distance cried out in alarm, "It’s the successive generations of the Pei Family’s Nuo Immortals, returned to the Mortal World!"

Those figures descending from the sky were indeed the successive generations of the Pei Family’s Nuo Immortals. According to the story told to the outside world, the Pei Family’s Nuo Immortals had naturally undergone Hidden Scene Transformation to live in harmony with the world, becoming happy and carefree Elder Immortals in their respective Hidden Scenic Areas.

In reality, however, they had met with misfortune in their twilight years, dying one by one in their own Hidden Lands. Their flesh, blood, and bone had been devoured, leaving behind nothing but empty skin.

And now, these empty husks had flown out from the Pei Family’s forbidden zone to appear on the official post road.

Although only their empty skin remained, they still possessed the bearing and air of Nuo Immortals. This was especially true of their world-defining aura, which was enough to shake the very foundations of the Divine Capital!

This powerful presence immediately drew the attention of the Jinwu Guard and others, all of whom turned to look.

One after another, Pei Family Nuo Immortals flew in to guard the carriage on all sides. Gradually, their numbers swelled to over a hundred.

"The Guo Mansion isn’t far, but I fear the path is fraught with peril."

Pei Du’s expression was placid. "I cannot fend off the other Noble Families if they besiege us together," he said, "so I will give them no opportunity to try. As Patriarch, I have the right to call upon the lingering spirits of my ancestors."

Xu Ying gazed out at the colossal figures standing between heaven and earth, his heart deeply shaken. This was an ancient Noble Family with a history spanning over two millennia. When it revealed its true power, the entire world would tremble in its wake!

Over a hundred Nuo Immortals. Though they were dead, their Hidden Scenic Areas now floated in the sky, suppressing any would-be troublemakers.

Their bodies were dead, their souls extinguished, but their Daoist Qi endured!

Xu Ying drew his gaze back from the window and said to Pei Du, "Thank you."

Pei Du smiled faintly. "There’s no need to thank me. This disaster was caused by my Pei Family’s failure to keep our own house in order. When you do wrong, you must take responsibility. I can only escort you this far. Whether your life can be saved will depend on the Guo Family. I’m afraid we will be dragging the Guo Family into our troubles this time."

An escort of over a hundred Nuo Immortals shook the entire Divine Capital. Not even the Emperor’s royal procession could boast such a grand spectacle!

People speculated about which great personage might be in the carriage, but who could have guessed it was merely a Snake Catcher from the backwater country of Lingling?

Some, however, did guess who was inside. But the Pei Family’s show of force was simply too overwhelming; even their Nuo Immortals, long rumored to be in seclusion, had been mobilized. Naturally, no one dared to make a move.

At last, the carriage arrived at the Guo Mansion under the protection of over one hundred Nuo Immortals. The Guo Mansion had already received word and its gates were wide open. Pei Du did not disembark, instead directing the carriage straight into the estate. It drove all the way to the rear courtyard before finally coming to a stop.

The white-haired Guo Family Ancestor dismissed everyone, even shooing away Guo Xiaodie and the one-armed Guo Yue, who had come to see what the commotion was about.

The carriage door opened. Pei Du stepped out and walked to the Guo Family Ancestor’s side.

The Guo Family Ancestor sighed and grumbled, "I just got word and was planning to go to the Yuan Mansion to eat someone tonight, and you bring him here now. Couldn’t you have waited one night? Let me have my meal first!"

Inside the carriage, Xu Ying and Yuan Qi heard this and exchanged a look of utter dismay.

Yuan Qi tried to be reassuring. "Don’t worry, Ying. The person the old master of the Guo Family plans to eat can’t be you. It must be that someone else from the Yuan Family is also delicious!"

He didn’t sound very confident, however.

The Guo Family Ancestor’s voice drifted over. "Did you eat him?"

Pei Du replied, "I almost did, but thankfully, I resisted the urge."

The Guo Family Ancestor muttered, "How did you manage to resist? If it were me, I wouldn’t have been able to. I would have had to at least have a taste. By the way, are you giving him to me so I can achieve Longevity? I was just thinking of steaming him tonight. My pot is huge—the steamer basket can fit two or three people. Don’t leave tonight. We can eat together."

Pei Du said, "You jest, elder brother. He treated me with utmost sincerity; how could I repay him with such villainy? Prince Li Zhaolou died in my mansion. I must go to the Imperial Palace myself to give a full account. I fear that once I enter the palace, I will not be coming back out. I can only rely on you to hold the fort here."

The Guo Family Ancestor sighed. "I suppose I’ll have to enjoy this meal alone, then. As you know, I’m even older than you are, and I’m quite often a villainous sort. So, this old brother won’t be waiting for you. I’ll be tasting him first."

Pei Du took out the *Primordial Spirit Tribulation Scripture* and handed it to the Guo Family Ancestor. "This volume of Scriptures gave me hope for my own life. Perhaps Nuo Immortals truly can achieve Longevity in the Mortal World and not have to worry about misfortune in their old age. Don’t be in such a rush to be villainous. Read this first, then you can be villainous."

The Guo Family Ancestor read for a moment, then said, "Make me a copy."

Pei Du laughed. "You can keep it. Besides, the man himself is staying here too. If you have any questions, Captain Guo, you can just ask him directly. Elder brother, I’m entrusting him to you. He’s alive."