Chapter 364: What follows

The world seemed to fall silent at that moment, leaving only Xu Xing's voice echoing through heaven and earth.

Countless Tongxuan cultivators felt that terrifying, unmatched blade-might pressed directly against their third eyes, sending chills down their spines—especially those ancient Tongxuan elders who had survived countless eons.

Since ascending to Tongxuan, even during epochal calamities when many Tongxuan descended to fight, they had never felt this way.

This power was absolutely superior to Tongxuan!

And among them, the most tense was the Tai Ming Master Jianzu.

Fuck!

If he had known this day would come, he would never have dared call himself Master Jianzu!

"Today, the Ascension Platform is established. Those who attain the Return-to-Void realm, and accumulate three thousand external merits, their cultivation complete, may ascend to the Immortal Realm and seek the Great Dao."

Only the Return-to-Void realm?

Not Tongxuan?

Are the requirements for ascension this low?

Before those who heard the news could react, they saw Xu Xing's Ascension Platform slowly rise.

Then, he swung forward the crimson-long sword in his hand!

It was merely the simplest of sword swings.

Yet this utterly ordinary motion carved a mark across heaven and earth, like a brand of burning embers.

Boom!

The world was split open!

The eternal Dao and cosmic principles, existing since time immemorial, were severed down the middle by this blade-light, and heaven and earth cleaved into two halves.

Infinite Dao-light flowed, compelling one to sink into it, seeking its hidden mysteries.

But if one truly calmed the mind to observe, one would see that all things split open appeared hazy and illusory, like reflections in water or flowers in a mirror—utterly impossible to grasp any insight.

All one could see was a golden-white object, resembling an altar, shattering into countless golden specks that sank into the severed fabric of reality.

From then on, the cosmic principles of heaven and earth seemed to have gained something new.

In another blink, all these wonders vanished as if they had never existed.

The beings of this world were bewildered; when clarity returned.

Heaven and earth were utterly clear, not a wisp of cloud remained, and even that crimson line dividing the azure sky had completely disappeared.

All that had just happened felt like an unreal dream.

Only those cultivators whose realms had surpassed Return-to-Void felt the terrifying blade-might at their third eye vanish, replaced by a flow of information about ascension and an evaluation of their own cultivation merits.

For a moment, the cultivators' expressions varied widely.

【Teaching false doctrines, forging beings into weapons, accumulating sins across lifetimes, impossible to cleanse—killing you yields great merit】

Tai Ming Master Jianzu was terrified inside.

He didn't know others' evaluations, but he knew his own was certainly not "good."

Absolutely must not let anyone find out!

Hmm…

Maybe later I can find a Return-to-Void disciple, probe his soul, pull out his existence, fate, and karmic threads, and slice them open to examine closely…

Tai Ming instinctively reached for his most commonly used method, but quickly realized his mistake.

No!

With an evaluation like this, I must proceed with caution.

Even if Master Jianzu hasn't acted against me yet, what if he's displeased by my meddling in his plans?

Forget it, I'll just ask one of my disciples later.

Master Jianzu's methods are profound—I might not notice, but I doubt they'd dare deceive me.

If their evaluation is also 'killing you yields great merit,' perhaps I could…

A Tongxuan's thought is swift—ten thousand thoughts were weighed in an instant.

He turned his gaze beyond the cave-realm, where the Tai Ping Daoist still stood atop the peak, silently gazing toward him.

The deep crimson sword-mark on his third eye radiated an aura that made Tai Ming's heart tremble—just as before, as if a mere twitch could erase him from the root.

"… "

Great, this was the real trouble.

Unfair! A mere Yuan Ying-level insect had gained the power to kill me!

"… " After a pause, Tai Ming spoke in the gentlest tone possible, "Young friend, the human realm is now governed by the Tai Ping Dao. The Tai Ming Sword Palace wishes to enter the world to spread our teachings. What is your opinion?"

If the Tai Ping Daoist uttered even a single word of refusal, he would turn and flee immediately.

It's just one Immortal Dao era—fine, I'll abandon it. As for whether my disciples miss out on the resources of this Immortal Dao era…

That doesn't matter at all!

Jiang Lin's crimson sword-mark flickered, making Tai Ming's heart leap—he feared Jiang Lin might act on impulse!

"Senior, your 'Tai Ming Refining Gold Scripture' must have further sections, right?"

Now isn't the right time—I must use this Tai Ming Master Jianzu as a stepping stone to understand the situation first.

"Naturally," Tai Ming smiled.

With that sword-mark, he couldn't read Jiang Lin's thoughts, but his long life experience allowed him to guess the general direction.

Within the cave-realm, the sun and moon, like twin eyes, suddenly blazed with light.

"I am Tai Ming. After the third layer of the 'Tai Ming Refining Gold Scripture,' one must further cultivate the 'Geng Metal Qi Absorption Method.'"

"Draw Qi into the body. Any human of pure lineage, regardless of root quality, may enter my Tai Ming Sword Palace. Those with excellent character may enter the inner sect directly."

Tai Ming immediately changed his requirements.

This time…

No!

In the coming golden age of immortal cultivation, Ta Ming Jiangong shall be the righteous path!

Incompatible with evil!

I wonder if this might improve my merit evaluation…

As he thought this, the Ta Ming Yuan Cave Heaven slowly entered the main world.

Having witnessed such supreme power far beyond Tong Xuan, it would be false to say he wasn't moved.

The carrot and the stick—though crude—is still effective.

After all, Tong Xuan is free of illness and disaster; he has plenty of time to try.

If there's hope for further advancement, why not become someone who aids the suffering and rescues the desperate?

Fuck!

Ta Ming is truly shameless!

The divine emperor watching over mortals from the Heavenly Palace and the reclusive Tong Xuan secretly cursed!

Some hearts stirred, and thoughts of imitation arose.

But there were also those who paid no mind, even wondering if they could find that Ascension Platform. Of course, without doubt, Xu Xing's mention of "Ascension" greatly improved Jiang Lin's situation.

As for how far he'll ultimately go…

That depends entirely on his own destiny.

…

…

Yan Huang Province.

Legend says this province once had a swallow transform into a phoenix, spreading its wings and soaring beyond the nine heavens.

Tai Ping Dao branch altar.

A plain-clothed woman, her face ordinary, with a pure white circular mark on her forehead, leaned against the window of a small pavilion, her clear black-and-white eyes gazing at the sky.

Her appearance was unremarkable, yet she carried a tranquil, pure, and lofty aura.

Not a single word, not a single hair, not a single detail is wrong!

It was the Lady of the Tai Yin Star.

She is now one of the most powerful Qushuai of Tai Ping Dao, overseeing all affairs within Yan Huang Province.

When the Tai Yang Star Jun attacked Jiang Lin, it was she who secretly intervened, blocking part of the power.

Otherwise, that was a He Dao entity—just one ray of Tai Yang Golden Flame would have killed ten Jiang Lins!

"Lord Master Jianzu…" she whispered.

Though she had known before that the Lord Master Jianzu was beyond Tong Xuan, the supreme power he displayed still left her profoundly shaken.

"Ascension, merit, Immortal Realm…"

And such a supreme being actually possesses such compassion for the world—what a demeanor…

No wonder even Xiang Yuanjun, such an entity, was drawn to him.

She recalled her merit evaluation several times more, and a faint smile appeared on the Lady of the Tai Yin Star's face.

Perhaps one day, I too may follow him.

…………

At this moment, beyond the world, the boundless expanse of Chaos Sea.

Four streaks of light leapt from the world that swallowed and exhaled infinite chaos, landing within the Chaos Sea and taking form as four figures.

It was Xu Xing and the other three.

They silently stared at that world for a long while.

Faintly, one could hear "Jiejiejie" laughter.

"Senior You seems prepared to linger a while longer," Hong Zun said.

"Senior You has his own judgment," Xu Xing said. "Besides, Senior You need not seal Hun Tian Yi—he only sent a faint projection of power; it's no issue."

If he wishes to stay longer, let him—better yet, he can watch this world's Ascension events.

"By the way, Ascension candidates should ideally be Fan Xu realm," Xiang Yuanjun said.

"The Washing Immortal Pool's technology will always evolve. Incompatible now doesn't mean it won't be later."

Xu Xing withdrew his gaze and turned toward the small worlds in the surrounding realms.

The current Washing Immortal Pool cannot yet affect He Dao-level beings.

Of course, that doesn't matter.

For high-level cultivators in this world, a thousand or hundred years pass in the blink of an eye.

"This world has considerable potential. First, plant the concept of 'Ascension'—and also pave a path for that young man."

As for Ascension…

In the short term, if a qualified Fan Xu appears, grant him Ascension; if not, delay it.

"Then… Brother, do you still remember everything from before?" Bie Xuening suddenly asked.

She meant everything before his crossing into the Tai Xuan Realm.

After all, when he severed the three connections, he also severed his past; only he himself knows his current state.

"Don't worry, Sister," Xu Xing smiled. "I remember everything I should. You go back first—I'll be slower."

The Tai Xuan Realm's repulsion targets him primarily.

Though he has severed his past, it still takes a little time for the repulsion to vanish completely.

Of course, this process won't take long.

According to the time flow of the Tai Xuan Realm, it'll be at most a day or two slower.

Bie Xuening frowned, as if wanting to say something, but after hesitating for a while, she ultimately said nothing.

"You two go ahead—I have some questions I'd like to ask Brother Dao."

The one who spoke these words was Hong Zun.

Hm?

Now not only did Bie Xuening and Xiang Yuanjun look at him in confusion, but even Xu Xing subtly stepped back a pace.

"... You're not worried about Sister Qian Shuang and the others, are you?" Xiang Yuanjun guessed.

"Of course not!" Hong Zun declared firmly. "I have something important I need Brother Dao to help confirm. Just go ahead."

Naturally, the two remained unmoved.

"Fine, I admit it—there's a little bit of a reason!" Hong Zun snapped, flustered.

The two exchanged a glance, saw Xu Xing nod, and finally turned away.

Only when their silhouettes had completely vanished into the churning chaos qi...

Xu Xing said directly: "Let's be clear, Brother Hong Zun—I can't help with your matter."

"Just an excuse."

"Then what do you want to say?" Xu Xing asked, puzzled.

Hong Zun straightened his expression and regarded him solemnly:

"What comes after 'The Immortal Drunken in Heaven'?"

(End of Chapter)