The three sect masters, their primordial spirits having entered the earth, arrived at the Nine Heavens Palace of Mount Mao. Among the many sect masters present, who were discussing important matters, they were greatly astonished to see the three who had gone out to drive people away return as primordial spirits, having lost their physical bodies!
The young Daoist boy, with a blank expression, said, "I knew from the start that they would end up like this. I cannot see through the opponent's strength. If they rashly went out, they were bound to suffer."
Upon hearing the young Daoist boy's words, the three sect masters flushed red and sighed incessantly.
Someone flicked their horsetail whisk and questioned, "What happened? Didn't you go to drive them away? How did you end up like this?"
The Eighth Sect Master sighed heavily. Even as a primordial spirit, his facial expression was clearly visible. He hesitated to speak, filled with shame, and his primordial spirit prostrated itself on the ground:
"I am incompetent and inferior in skill! I have disgraced the face of Shangqing Mount Mao!"
The Tenth Sect Master and the Fifteenth Sect Master also looked displeased. They looked at the person seated in the very center:
"Reporting to the Mountain Master, a fierce Daoist came to the gate..."
After speaking, he recounted everything that had happened. This caused an uproar in the Nine Heavens Palace, with everyone's focus naturally drawn to different aspects of the report.
"Court lackeys, wanting our Mount Mao formations? Is this something they can just have for asking? This is outrageous!"
"Wu Baoyi transformed into a Yin spirit and annihilated the entire Xuanmiao Temple? Utter nonsense! How could an immortal lower himself to enter the ghost path?"
"Isn't Xuanmiao Temple part of the Quanzhen sect? What business do their lives and deaths have with us?"
"They broke in? No... then they are actually quite well-behaved."
"Destroying the physical bodies of our three sect masters right under the noses of Mount Mao's cultivators, this must be a master above the Spirit Refining stage!"
"The Three Mountains of the world are being belittled like this, it's laughable if it gets out. I will go meet them. Eighth, you said the Baolian Lantern could burn his body, which means he is indeed a demonic heretic. Let me capture him..."
The sect masters babbled, without a unified opinion. A sect master in the Innate realm proposed to go out and meet them, but was mocked by other sect masters of the same realm:
"Don't be like Hua Xiong in battle, going out one by one and dying one by one. Do you all think you have the bravery of Guan Yunchang?"
Someone chimed in, "Indeed, three sect masters in the Yellow Court realm lost their physical bodies to the opponent in a single move. This shows the opponent wasn't serious at all from the start. And such a technique is something even an Innate master cannot achieve. If he can instantly kill a Yellow Court master, he can naturally instantly kill an Innate master as well. Going there would be death. Don't become Pan Feng, who was beheaded by Hua Xiong, instead of Guan Yunchang, that would be a laughingstock."
The Innate master immediately fell silent. He was also contemplating the opponent's level in his mind, trying to make a judgment. He asked the three sect masters:
"Were there any signs when the opponent instantly killed you?"
"Perhaps it was a special cultivation technique."
The Eighth Sect Master spoke at this moment, "I had sealed them with the Baolian Lantern before, but it was taken away by a beam of nine-colored light from his hand. Even my Thunder Dragon disappeared into the light. Later, when the three of us were instantly killed, we suddenly saw a flying sword appear before our brows. Then our physical bodies shattered. In a moment of crisis, our primordial spirits escaped! That is all the signs."
Unexpectedly, as he spoke, the Mountain Master of Mount Mao stirred!
"Ascension!"
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao's previously lowered eyes burst forth with fierce, bright light, blazing like a scorching sun.
A Pure Yang realm master's mere aura could illuminate a vast expanse of heaven and earth. Now, having refined his form into the sun, bathing in the sun, and manifesting eighty-four thousand Yang spirits!
The words "Ascension" were uttered from his mouth, weighing heavier than the three mountains and five peaks. He enunciated clearly, and the old man rose, tying up his gray hair, intending to go out personally!
"Is the Mountain Master going to act?"
"Ascension, what does that mean? It's impossible, right?"
There is no ascension in the world; this is a consensus. People in the mortal realm all aim for ascension to immortality as their highest goal. As long as one can achieve immortality, even if they only catch a glimpse of the threshold, they are considered successful, and their cultivation in this life has not been in vain.
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao slowly said, "The world is vast, and the person most likely to ascend is not me. The appearance of an Ascended expert is a world-shattering event."
"A divine sword appearing suddenly between the brows; as long as one can see the opponent, they can kill from a hundred thousand miles away as easily as picking something from a pocket. To transform into a sword with a single thought, this is the divine ability of the Ascended realm... I have never truly seen it, only read some descriptions in the records of past generations..."
The Pure Yang realm masters are not qualified to see the Azure Heaven Demon King, so the power of ascension manifests in the illusory realm of Fu Li, not in the human world. What the world can see at most is a radiance shooting up into the sky from a mountain, which is the white-day ascension, the transformation and ascent to heaven.
However, the only three Ascended experts in the world are quite far from Mount Mao. Celestial Master Zhang ascended secretly on Mount Longhu, Ji Xiang obtained ascension cultivation on Mount Yuquan in the Forbidden City, and Qin Naxiu was revived from a long period of corpse liberation without needing the Azure Heaven Demon examination. Any change in ascension was something the Mountain Master of Mount Mao could not predict.
What he could predict were only four words: there are always greater masters.
Never believe yourself to be invincible in the world; even Pure Yang masters have opponents. Below ascension, there are still people who possess means surpassing Pure Yang, whether through secret techniques, treasured artifacts, bloodlines, or powerful divine positions and vows. It's just that these people are not too many, like the Kai Tian Hong Sheng Emperor on Mount Changbai.
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao personally appeared, crossing the boundary between realms with a single step, arriving before the mortal dojo.
And in the eyes of Ji Xiang and the others, a white-haired old man with his hair tied up suddenly appeared there.
This person, simply standing there, was as dazzling as the sun. Fierce Yang energy erupted from his body, scattering in all directions like a waterfall. Just by standing there, no Yin demons or ghosts could exist; they would all be refined by that supreme, vast Yang energy!
"Mountain Master of Mount Mao, Shangqing Zhenren, Qiankun Da Xian!"
Nanyangzi immediately recognized the identity of the Mountain Master of Mount Mao. Pure Yang masters in the human world are respectfully called Da Xian, as they are people who can see the threshold of ascension. They only need to accumulate cultivation for a day, ascend to the heavens in broad daylight, and then transform and ascend to heaven.
"What great momentum."
The Fallen Immortal, having lost his original cultivation, looked at the opponent from his current Earth Immortal level. The gap between them was like that between clouds and mud. If the opponent merely moved a finger, his Earth Immortal level primordial spirit would likely vanish from the world instantly.
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao's gaze fixed directly on Ji Xiang. He observed Ji Xiang and could see that his cultivation was only at the Golden Core stage, and his physical body was pathetically weak, merely at the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top stage. However, the more abnormal it was, the more it indicated the opponent's strangeness.
"My three disciples below me took a blow from you, and their physical bodies were destroyed. I suspect you are an Ascended expert. May I have the honor of witnessing it?"
Ji Xiang politely replied, "Are you the Mountain Master of Mount Mao? To be honest, I did not wish to meet you so rudely."
"My purpose for coming this time..."
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao raised his hand to stop Ji Xiang's words: "I know your intentions. It's simple! I'll be direct. I merely wish to witness your abilities. If you are truly an Ascended expert, then please come into the mountain for a chat. If you are a Pure Yang master who has reincarnated and is cultivating again, you are also a notable figure and can enter for a discussion. But if you are below Pure Yang..."
"Then please forgive my rudeness."
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao said, "It's not that this old Daoist is disrespecting the court, but rather Mount Mao has important matters at hand. If you want me to open the mountain to welcome an external guest at this time, you must have corresponding abilities. Otherwise, who knows when you might die."
Ji Xiang was slightly stunned, his gaze focused: "Those words sound like a threat."
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao smiled: "It is a threat! However, it is not Mount Mao threatening you, but someone else. All will be revealed once you confirm your identity."
"Mount Mao is indeed lacking in abilities at the moment. If we could have a true Ascended, or even a Pure Yang master to assist, the situation would improve considerably."
Ji Xiang nodded. The other party's words had hidden meanings. Since they were looking for a fight, he would not refuse!
"Very well, since you insist on witnessing it before talking, I will not be stingy in showing you."
After all, Ji Xiang also wanted to test the strength of a Pure Yang realm master, preparing for future duels with experts from the inner realm.
The last time he killed General Nuogao, although he was a Pure Yang master who had reversed his corpse liberation and revived in the Yang world, he had already fallen to the Innate realm when he arrived in the human world. At that time, Ji Xiang himself had not yet entered the seventh realm and could not contend with him, so he could only open the heavenly gate and kill him instantly.
Ji Xiang exhaled, and at this moment, his intention was formed.
"Then, take this!"
As the words fell, in the blink of an eye, a divine sword was already placed before the Mountain Master of Mount Mao!
Humph—!
This sword appeared with only a moment's chance for reaction. The divine sword appeared and pointed directly at the head. With a thought, life and death were determined by ascension!
One of the Mountain Master of Mount Mao's eyes disappeared, and half of his head was pierced through. The power was not terrifying enough to shake the heavens and earth, but it could genuinely kill a peak expert in the human world!
A large bloody hole appeared. The blood of the Pure Yang realm master flowed out, and it was actually golden.
Golden blood dripped onto the ground. Any living being that consumed it would gain immense benefits. Ordinary beings could directly awaken their intelligence, and demonic creatures could advance their Dao cultivation and transform into human form.
"This... what a sword! So sharp! Truly the divine ability of the Ascended realm! The divine sword has taken form!"
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao, with half his head pierced through, did not activate any magical defenses. His physical body withstood Ji Xiang's blow, and in an instant, his flesh and blood reshaped. With a drift of golden mist, he gradually recovered completely.
However, in his heart, he was filled with excitement and shock. His breathing also became slightly heavier.
Ascension, true ascension!
The secret to glimpsing immortality was before him, and the helper to resolve a great threat was before him. This person was undoubtedly an Ascended realm master who had reincarnated and was cultivating again!
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao watched, his eyes shining with visible light, filled with anticipation and excitement.
And similarly, his Pure Yang realm physical body, pierced by the flying sword, did not collapse. It only appeared as a normal injury and could recover quickly. This level of power made Ji Xiang's heart slightly tighten.
"Pure Yang realm, not bad."
Hearing Ji Xiang's compliment, the Mountain Master of Mount Mao did not dare to be complacent and quickly said, "May I know your esteemed name!"
"This junior is the Mountain Master of Mount Mao, conferred the title of Shangqing Zhenren by Emperor Jiajing, Qiankun Zi Yang Taihe!"
Ji Xiang said lightly, "Mount Wudang, Ji Xiang, conferred the title of Zhengdao Huabei Ji Renwei Da Zongshi by Emperor Wanli... Beiji Zhenren, Head of the Great Ming Daoist Registry."
"I was born during the reign of Emperor Ling of Han."
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao was dumbfounded, and his attitude immediately changed: "An ancient immortal! Please come in quickly!"
He personally guided Ji Xiang and the others. Nanyangzi, upon learning of Ji Xiang's identity, was greatly astonished. The Fallen Immortal was even more dumbfounded, even whispering to Nanyangzi in disbelief:
"He is a Han immortal? How is that possible? Are there still Han immortals alive in the world?"
"Immortals from before the Yuan Dynasty are all gone. You're telling me there's a living Han immortal now?"
At this moment, Feng Menglong recalled the events at the Golden Mountain Water Mansion. He immediately straightened his chest and boasted to the Fallen Immortal and the other two scattered immortals:
"I told you long ago that Daoist Ji is not some demonic heretic, and there is indeed one Han immortal in the world! That one is also an Ascended... Speaking of which, what realm is Ascension? It sounds very powerful!"
The Fallen Immortal immediately leaned in to inquire about Qin Naxiu. He learned about the female immortal in the Golden Mountain Water Mansion who succeeded in corpse liberation and slept for a thousand years. Most importantly, that female immortal's era was connected to Ji Xiang's.
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao's ears naturally heard clearly. He now showed a look of yearning.
"During the chaos of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, ancient immortals underwent corpse liberation to avoid the calamities of the mortal world. A day in the mountains, a thousand years in the world. During the Han Dynasty, there weren't too many Daoist traditions..."
The earliest ancestor traced by the Shangqing sect was the Purple Void True Monarch Wei Huacun, who was also an immortal from the Jin Dynasty. Compared to Ji Xiang, this "Han immortal," he was truly of a junior level.
With the existence of Qin Naxiu vouching for Ji Xiang, this identity as a Han immortal brought immense deterrence and convenience.
Furthermore, Ji Xiang informed the Mountain Master of Mount Mao that Celestial Master Zhang had also ascended.
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao's footsteps slowed. His expression was moved, his inner emotions incredibly complex, filled with unwillingness, resentment, lament, and self-mockery. Finally, all of it turned into a long sigh.
"Someone has finally taken the lead and opened the great Dao of this era. It's a pity it wasn't Mount Mao... The leader of the Daoist sect is among the Three Mountains, and the leader of the Three Mountains is still the sect of Longhu."
"This Celestial Master Zhang is my junior, much younger than me. Yet, after cultivating to this point, I have not ascended. My talent and aptitude have stopped me here. Pure Yang can ensure a lifetime of peace, but it cannot achieve eternal fame. How laughable and pitiable."
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao led Ji Xiang and the others into the Nine Heavens Palace. The three sect masters who had lost their physical bodies, seeing their own Mountain Master personally leading people in, understood the outcome and were all greatly shocked.
"Impossible... he really is...?"
"There really is an Ascended realm in this world!"
The primordial spirits of the three sect masters stood to the side. Ji Xiang looked at the Eighth Sect Master: "Lend me your Baolian Lantern for observation."
The Eighth Sect Master's eyes widened, about to speak, but upon seeing a glance from the Mountain Master, he dared not speak despite his anger and could only bow resentfully.
The Mountain Master invited Ji Xiang to the main seat. Ji Xiang did not refuse. The Mountain Master sat in the secondary seat and, once again, got straight to the point:
"To be frank, we didn't believe the matter of Wu Baoyi. But since an Ascended expert has personally come and fought two battles, we have no reason not to believe it."
"As for why Mount Mao sealed its gates, this matter began with a rebellious disciple..."
"That rebellious disciple stole our sect's treasured sword, the Jade Ju. This sword was obtained by the twenty-sixth generation ancestor and passed down. Legend has it that it was originally a divine object from the tomb of Patriarch Tao Hongjing. Its name originates from the Warring States period and was once the sword of Emperor Guangwu of Han. When it pointed to the heavens, thunder, wind, and darkness ensued. The name of this sword is—"
"Qingping."