Chapter 272

Ascension Hall.

Several sect leaders walked across the jade steps to the very end.

Before them stood no door, only a faint golden, semi-transparent curtain hanging down from above, its inscriptions swirling, faintly revealing the scene within the hall.

Quite mysterious.

"Such a technique is truly profound—I can't detect even the slightest flaw…"

Cheng Junming murmured in wonder.

The curtain appeared thin, yet its defensive power was terrifying; even they could not budge it an inch.

"Of course—it was personally arranged by Qixiu, the direct disciple of Ling Yin Fang's Founding Master. Of course you can't see any flaw." Du Ruoheng spoke calmly.

"… "

Tap-tap-tap!

I know your Founding Master got along well with Ling Yin Fang's.

"Oh? Can Du Brother spot any flaw then?" Qin Wei raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not a Dongzhen—I can't." Du Ruoheng replied with perfect confidence.

Then he stepped forward and walked inside.

The faint golden, semi-transparent curtain rippled in circles but did not block his entry.

"Let's go," Chang Yue said, unfazed.

After all, their rivalry wasn't new.

As she stepped into the Ascension Hall, Qin Wei followed.

Cheng Junming, however, studied it carefully for a while longer before slowly crossing the faint golden, semi-transparent curtain.

He felt a coolness wash over his body, as if passing through a thin film of water—before him, the view suddenly opened up.

The interior space was far vaster than it had appeared from outside.

The hall was spacious and bright.

The surrounding walls were carved with scenes of sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, grasses, and trees, depicting the deeds of ancient sages who forged paths through hardship and cleared thorns.

Grand Dao sounds echoed, expounding the ultimate truths of the Dao, manifesting countless worlds rising and falling, coming into being and dissolving.

At the center stood a magnificent, sacred structure of gold and white.

It was a building resembling a "sacrificial altar," towering dozens of zhang high, suspended above a ground paved with spiritual jade, its tier upon tier of steps extending to the altar's peak.

Each step glowed with intricate, star-river-like patterns; golden, mysterious runes flowed around all four sides of the altar, flickering on and off.

It was the central Ascension Platform.

Cheng Junming remained stunned for a long while before snapping out of it, his heart still trembling, unable to calm.

Had he not remembered to maintain the sect leader's dignity, he would have blurted out, "Holy shit!"

The craftsmanship of this artifact was so exquisite he could not perceive even a fraction of its secrets—yet even so, he felt he had gained some insight…

Hss~!

No wonder it was personally forged by Ling Yin Fang's Founding Master!

Gathering his composure, Cheng Junming stepped forward, his figure floating lightly to land upon the Ascension Platform, atop the Cloud Terrace belonging to Taishang Dao Sect.

There were seven Cloud Terraces in total: three on each side, and one centrally positioned at the top, belonging to Ling Yin Fang.

Cheng Junming looked up and saw Du Ruoheng seated directly across from him, now also gazing at him.

Their eyes met, then quickly looked away.

"I heard from our Founding Master that if this Ascension Plan succeeds, a select group of outstanding disciples may be sent for trial beyond the realm—do any of you have candidates in mind?" Chang Yue's voice echoed through the Ascension Hall.

Since the ascenders still needed time to arrive, and since they were rarely gathered together, why not chat first.

"Naturally, those few boys who participated in the Xian Sect Grand Competition—then just assign one or two Soul Transformation and Return-to-Void cultivators to go with them," Qin Wei said bluntly.

Long Xiang Qing Tian Sect's situation was simple: the most outstanding among the younger generation were precisely those who had taken part in the last Xian Sect Grand Competition.

From Foundation Establishment to Golden Core—they could handle any world.

Suddenly, Qin Wei changed the subject: "What about Xiang Jianzong? Your next sect leader was the Golden Core champion of the last Xian Sect Grand Competition—will he also participate?"

"… Our Xiang Jianzong has our own candidates. No need for you to worry."

"By the way, Du Brother really is proactive—you've already arranged your successor right after taking office."

"Speaking of, Brother Du really is proactive—he's already arranged a successor the moment he took office."

What the hell kind of successor? I've only been sect leader for a few years!

This suck-up is clearly still bitter because I posted his photo in the group chat and is now throwing shade.

This sycophant is clearly getting back at me because I posted his photo in the group earlier.

Thinking of him was genuinely headache-inducing.

Cheng Junming remained silent across from them.

He was also suffering from a headache.

Not long ago, the Founding Master issued an edict ordering him to rectify the sect's atmosphere…

But the disciples here are all like this—how the hell do you rectify it?

The last Xian Sect Grand Competition took tremendous effort to find even a few disciples unaffected and outstanding.

During the last Xian Sect grand competition, we barely managed to find a few disciples who weren't affected and were still outstanding.

But I must find a way—otherwise, when the trial comes, if Taishang Dao Sect's participants are fewer than the others' zero, it'll be a laughingstock.

As he pondered, Cheng Junming's headache grew worse, and he couldn't help complaining.

'The Founding Master really talks without standing on his own two feet…'

"Hehuan Laozu really talks without a care for his waist..."

"Sorry for being late." The clear, bell-like voice carried an air of undeniable authority.

A red shadow pierced through the pale golden light curtain before the Ascension Hall and landed on the cloud platform beside Chang Yue, resolving into a woman with a voluptuous figure clad in a long crimson robe.

The hem of her robe spread like blazing flame across the cloud platform, embroidered with golden dragon patterns.

She wore a golden crown, a vermilion dot on her brow, and her phoenix eyes opened and closed with inherent dignity and nobility.

Even seated, she appeared as if seated upon the Nine Heavens as an Empress.

Supreme majesty.

Though not a single qi signature leaked, her innate aura still silenced the Ascension Hall for an instant.

Mistress of the Hehuan Sect—Shen Qingjun.

She was the granddisciple of Master Mei Zu.

She herself had received one-third of Master Mei Zu's true transmission, perceived her true nature, and stood alone above all paths, needing no external aid to illuminate her heart and reveal her nature.

Moreover, she had forged her own unique Dao.

She was the highest cultivator among this generation's Xian Sect leaders, ready at any moment to attain the Tongxuan Realm—until another person entered before the Ascension Hall, finally breaking the silence.

"Looks like I'm the last one?"

The newcomer walked into the hall unhurriedly—a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows, large eyes, broad shoulders and sturdy frame, each step as steady as a deep abyss or a mountain standing firm, radiating extraordinary presence.

Master of the Shenji Lianbao Pavilion—Guo Hong.

Compared to Qin Wei, he looked more like a body cultivator.

On the cloud platform, Chang Yue, whose expression had been utterly indifferent, finally raised an eyebrow upon seeing him.

Over the past few years, Jishi Valley and Shenji Lianbao Pavilion had frequently clashed over logistics.

We all joked and boasted in the group chat, yet this guy deliberately dug a massive pit and tricked me!

Guo Hong stared straight ahead, walked directly to sit beside Qin Wei, then calmly gazed down at the Ascension Platform below.

"Everyone's here, then."

A young girl in a light-colored palace dress, with a doll-like face and lively eyes, appeared from empty space and plopped herself onto the central uppermost cloud platform.

!. read

Mistress of the Ling Yin Fang—Li Wanwan.

She smiled as she swept her gaze over everyone, showing none of the usual airs of a sect leader, more like a naive girl curious about everything.

But if you truly believe she's naive, then you're even more naive…

Jian Sect, Taishang Dao Sect, Long Xiang Qing Tian Sect, Jishi Valley, Hehuan Sect, Shenji Lianbao Pavilion, Ling Yin Fang.

Thus, the seven Xian Sect leaders of the Xuan Realm finally gathered as one.

"We haven't all gathered like this in many years—relax a bit, everyone."

As she spoke, Li Wanwan waved her hand.

Streams of spiritual light landed before the six sect leaders, forming low tables adorned with spiritual fruits and nectar, along with a crystal card.

"These are the detailed records of the ascending cultivator, provided by the Jian Ancestor himself—everyone may take a look."

Basic information was known, but not detailed.

Cheng Junming picked up the crystal card: "How many Ancestors are observing this ascension?"

Everyone remained expressionless, yet all watched Li Wanwan's reply closely.

"Several Ancestors are likely watching this place," Li Wanwan did not conceal it. "But within Ling Yin Fang, besides our own Ancestor, the Jian Ancestor and Xiang Yuanjun have also come."

Xiang Yuanjun is here too?

Cheng Junming froze, then turned to find all others staring at him.

"Don't look at me like that—I have no idea where the Ancestors are."

Especially Xiang Yuanjun, who roams the Central Continent for years and rarely returns to the sect…

Boom!

"Good!"

It was Qin Wei who suddenly slammed his hand on the low table.

Fuck!

Cheng Junming glared furiously!

I know you're loud, but why shout so damn hard?

Yet Qin Wei paid him no mind.

"This ascending cultivator shall join the Long Xiang Qing Tian Sect!"

Huh?

Cheng Junming, sensing something amiss, glanced at the data on the crystal card.

The records were plentiful, but since it was a He Dao cultivator, a single glance revealed all.

Dual cultivation of body and method, fully returned to the Void, excellent character, refused to ascend to protect humanity, and even received personal instruction from the Jian Ancestor's Sword Intent Spirit Body…

"That's incorrect—this ascending cultivator belongs in the Taishang Dao Sect!" Cheng Junming immediately declared solemnly.

He saw hope for reforming the Gailiang Sect's atmosphere!

Huh?!

Qin Wei shot him a sharp look; Cheng Junming met it without flinching.

The two locked gazes, and where their eyes met, the air subtly warped.

The others remained utterly calm.

Du Ruoheng picked up a Xuan Zhu fruit, sliced its skin with a thread of sword qi, and swallowed the glowing flesh within.

This stuff is delicious, but it's rarely sold on the market.

However, every year, Li Wanwan sends them some.

…………

Inner Disciples of Ling Yin Fang.

The performances of several Sect Masters were seen by the three of them.

"Yuanjun, Xu Dage, which of this year's Sect Masters do you think is the most outstanding?" Ning Ruo asked.

Which one is the most outstanding?

"I don't know much about the other aspects, but if we're speaking purely of cultivation realm, the young one from Hehuan Sect is undoubtedly the most outstanding," Xu Xing said.

The methods passed down by Master Mei Zu require most disciples of Hehuan Sect to rely on external objects or pay a certain price to even enter.

Yet she has walked the orthodox path to master Master Mei Zu's methods, partially freed herself from the influence of Master Mei Zu's Dao, and has begun to form the embryonic shape of her own Dao.

This is quite impressive.

If she continues on this path, she might one day become like the Seventh Master, who created the Seven Emotions Sword Scripture, and forge her own Dao.

"Indeed," Yuanjun also agreed.

Ning Ruo nodded slightly, then asked again:

"By the way, after all these years, Yuanjun, when are you planning to take a disciple?"

"The calamity has not yet lifted—it's difficult," Yuanjun sighed lightly. "This process is harder than I originally anticipated."

In ancient times, she bore the calamities of too many humans ascending to the Union with Dao.

As a result, calamity clung to her, hard to dispel.

Even after Xu Xing became an Immortal, he could not fully sever it for her.

Thus, she wanders across the Central Continent, using the Way of Cause and Effect to alleviate her calamity through methods of turning misfortune into fortune.

As a True Immortal who wields the Way of Cause and Effect, she is naturally unafraid of being bound by calamity.

But if anyone were to become her disciple…

Their death would be the most horrific in all the world! (End of Chapter)