Chapter 395: Refining the Void into Reality, Obtaining the Nine Swords, Ascending in Broad Daylight, The Flood Dragon Emerges

【The Demon Master and the others were filled with disbelief.】

【Suddenly, purple Qi appeared from the east at the horizon, and the Three Flowers gathered at the crown!】

【This was the omen of feathering and becoming an immortal recorded in Daoist classics; how could it appear on someone whose Yang Spirit was about to dissipate?】

【The Demon Master thought of a possibility, "Could it be?"】

【The Second Master smiled lightly, "In the end, I have finally achieved it, but unfortunately... it is too late."】

【"That Lu Chen from back then, I do not know what level he had penetrated to; he only spent sixty years to ascend from this realm."】

【"I am far from his equal!"】

【The Second Master slowly spread his left palm, and within his slender fingers, a golden lotus seed seemed to be slowly rotating.】

【The body that had already dissipated gradually solidified, presenting a cyan and purple hue.】

【The lotus seed flew out from the palm, then exhaled purple rays of light.】

【A world of floating light and fleeting shadows appeared, like a mirage laid out before the few people.】

【Lu Hua's gaze looked over; it was a desolate and bleak world.】

【The golden lotus seed flew into it, like a seed drilling into the soil. In an instant, clear streams emerged from the cracked earth, gathering into a pool, upon which grew a patch of lotus flowers and leaves—pink-white petals and pink stamens, green lotus leaves, layered and overlapping.】

【Behind the broad lotus leaves, the water rippled gently. A crimson carp swam out leisurely, its scales gleaming with golden light under the moonlight.】

【In the blink of an eye, a lotus pond appeared before the Demon Master and the other three, with lotus leaves filling the space and lotus flowers standing tall, almost condensing into reality!】

【Master Master Lianchi's withered fingers trembled slightly:】

【"Refining the Void into Reality..."】

【Ripples appeared in his turbid eyes, as if he had seen the realm of "One Thought Giving Birth to a Lotus" recorded in Buddhist classics.】

【Unfortunately!】

【Before the lotus pond could fully solidify, it collapsed like flowers in a mirror or the moon in the water. The swimming fish in the ripples turned into specks of golden light, dissipating between heaven and earth.】

【Only four lotus flowers remained, their fragrance overflowing.】

【The Second Master sighed softly, the cinnabar red jade between his brows suddenly dimming:】

【"In the end, I could not do it."】

【"Before dawn breaks today, I fear I will be unable to remain in this world."】

【The Second Master looked at the crowd with a hint of a smile, "Today's kindness cannot be repaid; let these four lotus flowers serve as a memento."】

【The four lotus flowers flew into the hands of the Demon Master and the others.】

【The Demon Master stared at the near-solid lotus in his hand, his eyes thoughtful.】

【The Second Master smiled slightly, his tone carrying a hint of emotion, "Senior Brother, my life has been one of swift vengeance and pride, laughing at princes and nobles. Although many admire me, and not a few follow me, those who can truly speak with me are few and far between."】

【"Senior Brother, you are one of the few people I have admired in this life, and you have always been a good Senior Brother in my heart."】

【The Second Master raised his hand gently, and the crystal-clear cyan lotus before him, its petals like jade, slowly bloomed.】

【"Senior Brother, this Gentleman Lotus is the Dao of vitality I realized between life and death, transformed from a wisp of spiritual energy condensed when I opened the Heavenly Gate. You were severely injured today; consuming this lotus daily for seven days will not only restore your physical body, but your cultivation can also ascend to a higher level."】

【The First Master stared at the cyan lotus in his hand, a surge of vigorous vitality overflowing from it.】

【He did not say much, silently putting the lotus away. The opportunity for ascension in this lifetime had already arrived; no one seeking the Dao would easily give it up.】

【The First Master nodded slightly, his tone carrying a hint of gratitude: "Thank you, Junior Brother."】

【The Second Master's gaze shifted, landing on Master Master Lianchi, "This is the Buddha Mountain Lotus, which can help one shed their mortal shell and wash away the leaden dust; it is quite well-suited to you."】

【Master Master Lianchi pressed his palms together and respectfully received the golden lotus.】

【The Second Master looked at the Demon Master again, and before him appeared a deep blue lotus, its petals like waves, with the faint sound of flowing water: "This Heavy Water Flower can nourish the Primordial Spirit and help your Dao Heart Demonic Seed reach the realm of perfection."】

【The Demon Master accepted it gladly, "Thank you, Second Master."】

【Finally, the Second Master's gaze landed on Lu Chen, where a twin lotus appeared, its petals born in pairs, light flowing across them: "You have exceptional talent and lack no cultivation techniques; this twin lotus is most suitable for you and can help you break through this life-bound opportunity."】

【Lu Chen could not hide his joy, respectfully receiving the lotus before him, his eyes filled with gratitude.】

【The Second Master finally turned his gaze to Xie Guan, his eyes carrying a hint of a smile as he spoke slowly: "Back then, in the Hongjing Courtyard of the Xie residence, I left behind three characters, and within the lake, my Nine Swords were hidden. You took the Demon-Slaying and Ghost-Slaying swords; this is the opportunity you deserve."】

【His tone was calm, "Today, I will officially bestow the Nine Swords upon you."】

【"You can also be considered my closing disciple."】

【Before the words had faded, an ink-colored flood dragon suddenly emerged from the Second Master's sleeve, its body like ink, its scales flickering with a deep luster.】

【The flood dragon gently coiled around his wrist, seemingly reluctant to leave.】

【The Second Master smiled slightly and pointed gently; only then did the flood dragon soar into the air, turning into a stream of ink-colored light, flying straight toward Xie Guan.】

【Xie Guan did not block it, allowing the ink-colored flood dragon to fly into his brow and merge into his Mud-Ball Palace; it turned out to be the last character remaining in the lake!】

【In an instant, his mind shook, and seven sharp sword intents suddenly appeared in his heart-sea, the sword light like frost, its sharpness fully exposed.】

【Lu Chen felt the surging sword intent within his body, bowed respectfully, and unconsciously changed his form of address: "Disciple thanks you, Master, for bestowing the sword!"】

【The Second Master smiled with satisfaction, looked at Xie Guan, and said with a profound gaze, "There are many varieties of lotus flowers. There is the Chaoti Temple Lotus, which can save you twenty years of bitter cultivation; there is the Desk Spring Lotus, which can help you make rapid progress in your understanding of sword intent."】

【He paused, his tone carrying a relaxed and leisurely smile, "But I have thought it over, you are much stronger than I was when I was young; you are a person of talent."】

【As he spoke, the Second Master made a light stroke with his hand, and a white lotus, clean as snow, quietly appeared, its petals crystal clear, as if unstained by dust.】

【He walked personally to Xie Guan and handed over the white lotus, his tone gentle, "This is an ordinary white lotus, and it has no special use."】

【"It emerges from the mud but is unstained, washed by clear ripples but not seductive. This white lotus is quite fitting for a young man like you."】

【You heard this and respectfully received the white lotus.】

【The Second Master turned around, his broad sleeves fluttering in the wind, his smile free and indifferent.】

【"Cai Yu'an, I am off!"】

【As the words fell, his figure began to gradually dissipate, the cyan and purple intertwined phantom becoming transparent under the moonlight, as if merging with heaven and earth.】

【"Respectfully send off the Second Master!"】

【The Demon Master and the others also had solemn expressions, bowing respectfully.】

【The Second Master smiled lightly, looked toward the direction of the Yaoxian Tower one last time, and then his figure gradually dissipated into the river mist.】

【Just at this moment!】

【A golden radiance from the nine heavens suddenly shone down, as if a gap had been torn in the sky, golden light spilling down and shining on the Second Master.】

【The figure that had already gradually dissipated actually re-condensed under the shroud of golden radiance, surrounded by thousands of auspicious vapors, with illusory cranes dancing gracefully beside him.】

【The Demon Master and the others had shocked expressions, looking up one after another, only to see that above the golden light, jade towers and palaces were faintly visible, as if an immortal realm had descended to the human world.】

【The towering Heavenly Gate that had originally dissipated now reappeared, blooming with brilliant radiance, as if it were a portal to another world.】

【Master Master Lianchi could not help but blurt out, his voice carrying undisguised shock: "This is... Ascension Reception!"】

【A look of surprise also appeared on the Second Master's face; he raised his head slightly, his gaze piercing through layers of golden light, looking toward the unreachable firmament.】

【A light of reception descended from the nine heavens, seven-colored clouds brilliant and dazzling, as if connecting heaven and earth, linking the mortal world with the Immortal Realm.】

【Two sharp sword lights suddenly lit up in the Second Master's eyes.】

【His gaze seemed to capture a figure—it was a man, overlooking heaven and earth, then quietly disappearing into nothingness.】

【The Second Master smiled, his expression composed.】

【He bowed respectfully to heaven and earth, and then his whole body turned into a stream of light.】

【The Second Master finally glimpsed a trace of heavenly secrets, looking at the few people below, "This world is the time for ascension; the heavenly timing has arrived!"】

【"Everyone, within ten years, the Heavenly Gate will open again."】

【After finishing, he went straight up to the nine heavens, merging into that towering Heavenly Gate.】

【In the night sky, the Heavenly Gate slowly closed, disappearing without a trace in an instant, leaving only a pitch-black night sky and cold moonlight.】

【The crowd remained silent for a long time, with only the river breeze blowing gently.】

【This scene came quickly and went quickly, vanishing in an instant.】

【The First Master, Xu Li Xian, stared at the night sky, and only after a long while did he speak slowly, his tone carrying a hint of emotion and satisfaction.】

【"Junior Brother, it seems he has truly ascended."】

【Master Master Lianchi pressed his palms together, his expression calm but unable to hide his shock: "It seems that the matter of ascension is not as difficult as the legend says, as hard as ascending to the blue sky."】

【"At least today, we witnessed this scene with our own eyes."】

【Xu Xu Jiangxian, however, frowned tightly, puzzled: "But just now, the Second Master was clearly at the end of his life, his strength exhausted; how could he, in the blink of an eye..."】

【Lu Hua, however, had a joyful expression, "Heaven does not fail those who work hard! The Second Master sought the Dao all his life; today he attained the Dao and ascended, which is the reward for diligence."】

【The three-thousand-year grand plan of the Sanzhen Sect finally had hope.】

【For her, this was undoubtedly exciting good news.】

【The Demon Master chewed over the words the Second Master left behind: "This world is the time for ascension; the heavenly timing has arrived!", "Within ten years, the Heavenly Gate will open again!"】

【A flash of realization crossed his eyes, as if he had glimpsed some heavenly secret from it.】

【On the other side, after a period of adjustment, Xu Xu Jiangxian's vitality gradually recovered. He operated the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique, and his originally severed lower body began to be wrapped in eerie demonic Qi, gradually condensing into new limbs. It was just that this body condensed by demonic arts appeared ferocious and terrifying, far less aesthetically pleasing than his original physical body.】

【The First Master took the lotus bestowed by the Second Master, and his originally broken body began to grow muscle, bone, and flesh buds at a speed visible to the naked eye, vitality bursting forth.】

【This scene made the Demon Master very moved; it seems the Second Master truly attained the Dao at the last moment. Refining the Void into Reality is indeed incomparably profound.】

【His gaze landed on the lotus in his hand, a flash of anticipation in his eyes; this trip to Above Bianjing had yielded results far exceeding expectations.】

【Everything seemed to have settled!】

【The mist on the river surface gradually dissipated, and heaven and earth returned to tranquility.】

【However!】

【The First Master suddenly spoke, "You loach, how much longer do you intend to hide?"】

【The surroundings were silent, the river surface calm and undisturbed.】

【A smile appeared on the Demon Master's face, his hands behind his back, his gaze cast toward the river surface.】

【Only to see the river surface closest to them was calm, even the sparkling light washed by the flowing water had disappeared.】

【Master Master Lianchi also pressed his palms together, his tone peaceful but carrying a hint of majesty: "Benefactor, please reveal yourself."】

【The Demon Master laughed, "How can a normal river surface have no sound of waves?"】

【After he finished speaking, the nearby river surface began to have ripples flowing with the current.】

【The First Master spat out a "Spring and Autumn Brush" sword Qi, the sword Qi like a rainbow, striking directly at the river surface.】

【In an instant!】

【The river surface exploded violently, water splashing everywhere, a black shadow rushing into the sky from the water, accompanied by a low roar like a cow or a tiger, shaking the surrounding air.】

【The black shadow twisted in the water, ripples rising behind it, turning into a stream of light, seemingly wanting to take this opportunity to escape. A passage unfolded out of thin air, and it looked like it was about to be moved away.】

【"Small tricks, daring to be presumptuous before me." The First Master snorted coldly; his life-bound was "Carefree Wandering," carefree in heaven and earth, unrestrained. How could a mere escape technique escape his sharp eyes?】

【In an instant, the black figure had only escaped halfway when it was forcibly knocked out by an invisible force, the joy on its face gradually solidifying, replaced by a touch of solemnity and fear.】

【The black shadow circled in mid-air for a moment, then turned into a man in a black robe, landing steadily on the riverbank.】

【The man's face was sinister, his eyes flickering with deep light.】

【Lu Chen saw this and laughed happily, "Long Yi, hiding your head and showing your tail is not an upright act."】

【The Demon Master sneered, "This one has always wanted to sit and reap the benefits."】

【The black-robed man was the flood dragon of Ze Lake, who had been lurking in the water, waiting for an opportunity.】

【He had originally been intimidated by the First Master's scholarly appearance and majesty, fleeing far away, but in the end, he could not bear to part with the "heavenly treasures" in Xie Guan's hands, unable to resist returning, attempting to fish in troubled waters.】

【Unexpectedly, he saw the true Master appear, scaring him out of his wits, yet he was too afraid to flee.】

【Later, the Master fell, and the Second Master appeared; he hid in the water, glimpsing many secrets.】

【Little did he know, the Second Master, the Demon Master, the First Master, and others had long since seen through his secret of lurking at the bottom of the river.】

【Neither the Master nor the Second Master was willing to waste a moment on him, ignoring him.】

【The black-robed man transformed from the flood dragon had an increasingly gloomy face, his gaze like a torch, scanning the crowd, his voice hoarse and muddled: "Why... force people so hard."】

～

～

In the Academy, on the fifth floor.

It happened to be the moment of the Second Master's ascension, when the Heavenly Gate appeared for a time.

At this moment!

On the low white bed hidden behind the bead curtain, the one-armed old man who had been lying there without any sign of life began to have his heart beat, and he slowly opened his eyelids.】

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 396 =====