Chapter 656: Refining the Void into Substance, Acquiring the Nine Swords, Ascending in Broad Daylight—The Dragon Emerges

The Magician and others stared in disbelief.

Purple qi suddenly surged from the eastern horizon, gathering at the crown of three flowers!

This was the omen of transcendence recorded in Daoist scriptures—how could it appear on a man whose Yang Spirit was about to dissipate?

The Magician considered one possibility: "Could it be?"

The Second Master smiled faintly: "In the end, I did manage it—but too late."

"Back then, who among the Lu Chen didn't penetrate that level? He achieved transcendence in merely six decades."

"I am far beneath him!"

The Second Master slowly opened his left palm, where a golden lotus seed slowly rotated between his slender fingers.

His body, which had already begun to dissipate, gradually solidified into shades of blue and purple.

The lotus seed flew from his palm, releasing a radiant purple aura.

A fleeting, illusory world appeared before them, like a mirage stretched across the air.

Lu Hua gazed into it—desolate, barren, and bleak.

The golden lotus seed plunged into the land like a seed sinking into soil; instantly, cracked earth spouted clear streams that pooled into ponds, upon which lotus leaves and blossoms sprouted—pink petals, crimson stamens, and layered green leaves.

Behind the broad lotus leaves, ripples stirred gently; a crimson carp glided out, its scales shimmering with golden light under the moon.

In an instant, a lotus pond materialized before the four of them—lotus leaves spread wide, blossoms upright, nearly solidifying into tangible form!

The Lotus Pool Master's withered fingers trembled slightly:

"Refining the void into substance."

His cloudy eyes rippled, as if he had glimpsed the "One Thought, One Lotus" state described in Buddhist scriptures.

Alas!

Before the pond fully solidified, it shattered like a reflection in water or a mirage—the fish dissolved into golden specks, vanishing into heaven and earth.

Only four lotuses remained, their fragrance filling the air.

The Second Master sighed softly; the vermilion mark on his brow dimmed abruptly:

"I still could not accomplish it."

"Before dawn today, I fear I shall no longer remain in this world."

The Second Master looked at them with a faint smile: "Your kindness today cannot be repaid—these four lotuses are my token of remembrance."

The four lotuses flew into the hands of the Magician and the others.

The Magician gazed at the nearly solid lotus in his palm, his eyes filled with contemplation.

The Second Master smiled faintly, voice tinged with nostalgia: "Brother, my life has been one of swift vengeance and joyous defiance of kings and lords. Many revered me, many followed me—but few ever truly spoke with me."

"Brother, you are among the very few I have ever admired—and always, you have been my true elder brother in my heart."

The Second Master gently raised his hand; the translucent emerald lotus before him slowly unfurled, its petals like jade.

"Brother, this Gentleman Lotus was born from my awakening to the Way of Life, forged from a thread of spiritual energy gathered when I opened the Heavenly Gate. You are gravely wounded—consume one petal daily for seven days, and not only will your body heal, but your cultivation base will ascend another rung."

The First Master gazed at the emerald lotus in his hand; a vibrant vitality radiated from it.

He said nothing, silently tucking it away. The chance for transcendence had arrived—he who sought the Dao would never lightly abandon it.

The First Master nodded slightly, voice tinged with gratitude: "Thank you, younger brother."

The Second Master turned his gaze to the Lotus Pool Master: "This is the Buddha Lotus—it helps shed the mortal form and cleanse all dross. It suits you well."

The Lotus Pool Master clasped his hands together and respectfully accepted the golden lotus.

The Second Master then turned to the Magician; before him appeared a deep blue lotus, its petals like flowing water, faintly whispering with the sound of currents: "This is the Heavy Water Flower—it nourishes the Primordial Spirit and will help your Dao Heart Seed Demon reach perfect fulfillment."

The Magician accepted it gladly: "Thank you, Second Master."

Finally, the Second Master's gaze settled on Lu Hua—a twin lotus, two petals born as one, radiating shifting light: "Your talent is exceptional, your methods complete—this twin lotus suits you best. It will aid you in unraveling your Lifesource's true nature."

Lu Hua could not hide his joy; he bowed respectfully and accepted the lotus, his eyes brimming with gratitude.

The Second Master's gaze turned to Xie Guan, a faint smile in his eyes: "Long ago, in the Hongjing Courtyard of the Xie family, I left three characters—within the lake lies my nine swords. You took the Sword of Demonslaying and the Sword of Ghostslaying—your rightful fortune."

His voice was calm: "Today, I formally bestow upon you all nine swords."

"You are my final disciple."

Before he finished speaking, a jet-black dragon surged from his sleeve—its body ink-dark, scales gleaming with deep luster.

The dragon coiled gently around his wrist, reluctant to depart.

The Second Master smiled faintly, raised a finger, and lightly tapped it—the dragon rose into the air, becoming a streak of ink-light that shot straight toward Xie Guan.

Xie Guan made no move to stop it; the ink-black dragon flew into his third eye, merging into his Dantian—revealed at last: the final character hidden in the lake!

Instantly, his spirit trembled; seven piercing sword intentions surged into his heart-sea, their blades gleaming like frost, razor-sharp and unyielding.

Xie Guan felt the overwhelming sword intent within him, bowed deeply, and without realizing it, changed his address: "Disciple thanks Master for the gift of the swords!"

The Second Master smiled with satisfaction, gazing at Xie Guan with deep eyes: "Lotuses come in many kinds—there is the Chaoti Lotus, which saves you twenty years of arduous cultivation; there is the Desk Spring Lotus, which accelerates your sword intent a thousandfold in a single day."

He paused, his tone light and carefree: "But after much thought, you surpass the young me by far—you are a man of true talent."

As he spoke, he lightly swept his hand; a pure white lotus appeared, its petals crystal-clear, untainted by dust.

He stepped forward and handed it to Xie Guan, his voice gentle: "This is merely an ordinary white lotus—no special power."

"It rises from mud yet remains unstained; washed in clear ripples, it bears no arrogance. This white lotus suits a young man like you."

You solemnly accepted the white lotus.

The Second Master turned, his wide sleeves fluttering in the wind, his smile carefree and serene.

"Cai Yu'an—I depart!"

As his words faded, his form began to dissolve—the blue-purple shadow grew translucent beneath the moonlight, merging with heaven and earth.

"Honorably bid farewell to the Second Master!"

The Magician and others bowed solemnly.

The Second Master gave one final glance toward the Yaoxian Tower, then vanished into the river mist.

At that moment!

A golden radiance blazed down from the nine heavens, as if the sky had been torn open—golden light poured over the Second Master.

His fading form, bathed in golden radiance, re-solidified, wreathed in myriad auspicious auras; phantom celestial cranes danced gracefully beside him.

The Magician and others stared upward in shock—the golden light above revealed faint, jade towers and palaces, as if paradise had descended to earth.

The once-dissolved majestic Heavenly Gate now reappeared, blazing with brilliant light, as if opening a portal to another world.

The Lotus Pool Master blurted out, voice trembling with awe: "This is… the Heavenly Reception for Ascension!"

A look of surprise crossed the Second Master's face; he lifted his gaze, piercing through layers of golden light toward the unreachable heavens.

A beam of reception light descended from the nine heavens, radiant with seven-colored auroras, as if bridging heaven and earth, connecting mortal realm to immortal realm.

Two piercing sword lights suddenly ignited in the Second Master's eyes.

His gaze seemed to catch a figure—a man gazing down upon heaven and earth, then vanishing without trace.

The Second Master smiled, calm and composed.

He bowed solemnly to heaven and earth, then transformed into a streak of light.

The Second Master had glimpsed a sliver of heavenly fate; he looked down at the others and said: "This world is the time for ascension—the celestial timing has arrived!"

"All of you—within ten years, the Heavenly Gate shall open again."

With that, he soared straight into the heavens, vanishing into the majestic Heavenly Gate.

In the night sky, the Heavenly Gate slowly closed, then vanished without a trace—leaving only a dark, empty sky and cold moonlight.

All remained silent; only the river wind whispered.

This spectacle came swiftly and vanished just as quickly.

The First Master, Xu Xian, gazed at the night sky for a long while before speaking, voice tinged with awe and relief:

"Younger brother… he truly ascended."

The Lotus Pool Master clasped his hands together, calm yet visibly awestruck: "It seems ascension is not as impossible as legend claims."

"At least today, we witnessed it with our own eyes."

Xu Jiangxian frowned, puzzled: "But moments ago, the Second Master was clearly in his final moments—his strength spent—how could he suddenly…"

Lu Hua smiled warmly: "Heaven does not forsake the diligent! The Second Master spent his life seeking the Dao—today, he attained it. Heaven rewards perseverance."

The three-thousand-year plan of the Three True Teachings now held hope.

For her, this was undeniably a thrilling piece of news.

The Magician repeatedly pondered the Second Master's final words: "This world is the time for ascension—the celestial timing has arrived! Within ten years, the Heavenly Gate shall open again!"

A flash of insight gleamed in his eyes—he had glimpsed a sliver of heavenly fate.

On the other side, Xu Jiangxian, after a period of meditation, gradually restored his vital energy; he activated the Heavenly Demon Body Dissolution Art—his severed lower body was wrapped in dark demonic qi, slowly reforming into new limbs. But this demonic construct was grotesque and terrifying, far uglier than his original flesh.

The First Master swallowed the lotus gifted by the Second Master; his shattered body began regenerating visible muscle, bone, and tissue, vitality surging forth.

The Magician watched, deeply moved—surely, the Second Master had truly awakened at the end, refining the void into substance—truly profound and wondrous.

His gaze fell upon the lotus in his hand; a spark of anticipation flickered in his eyes. This journey to Bianjing had yielded far more than expected.

All seemed settled!

The mist over the river slowly dissipated; heaven and earth returned to stillness.

Yet!

The First Master suddenly spoke: "You slippery eel—how much longer will you hide?"

Silence. The river surface remained undisturbed.

The Magician smiled, hands behind his back, eyes fixed on the river.

The nearest stretch of water—Zhibei—lay utterly calm, the shimmering ripples from the current vanished entirely.

Master Lianchi also clasped his hands together, his tone calm yet carrying a hint of authority: "Virtuous one, please reveal yourself."

The Demon Master chuckled, "How could a normal river surface be silent without ripples?"

As he spoke, the nearby river surface began to ripple again with flowing waves.

The Great Master spat forth a sword qi of the "Spring and Autumn Pen," a brilliant streak of light that struck the river surface directly.

In an instant!

The river surface exploded violently, water spraying in all directions; a dark shadow shot upward from the water, accompanied by a low, guttural roar—part bull, part tiger—that made the surrounding air tremble.

The dark shadow twisted in the water, leaving a faint glow behind it, transforming into a brilliant streak of light as if seeking to escape. A passage suddenly unfolded beneath it, about to teleport it away.

"Trivial trickery, dare you display it before me?" The Great Master sneered. His true essence was the "Free and Easy Wandering"—unbound, unfettered, roaming heaven and earth. How could such a mere escape technique evade his sight?

Instantly, the black figure, halfway through its escape, was forcibly ejected by an invisible force. The joy on its face froze, replaced by solemnity and dread.

The shadow hovered in midair for a moment, then transformed into a man clad in a black robe, landing steadily on the riverbank.

The man's face was sinister, his eyes glinting with a sinister light.

Lu Hua, seeing this, chuckled, "Long Yi, hiding your head and tail isn't exactly a noble act."

The Demon Master sneered, "This one has been waiting all along to reap the benefits of others' strife."

The black-robed man was none other than the Jiao Dragon of Dezehu, who had been lurking beneath the water, waiting for an opportunity.

He had originally been intimidated by the Great Master's Confucian aura and fled far away, but he could not bear to abandon Xie Guan's "heavenly treasure," and could not resist returning, hoping to profit from the chaos.

Unexpectedly, he saw the True Confucian appear—his heart and liver nearly shattered, yet fear held him in place, preventing escape.

After the Later Confucian's demise, the Second Master emerged, and he, hidden beneath the water, witnessed many secrets.

Yet he did not know that the Second Master, the Demon Master, the Great Master, and others had long since uncovered his hidden presence beneath the river.

Neither the Confucian nor the Second Master wished to waste even a moment on him, and ignored him entirely.

The Jiao Dragon, now in the form of the black-robed man, grew even darker in expression, his gaze blazing as he swept across the crowd, his voice hoarse and muffled: "Why… do you relentlessly press me?"

～

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In the academy, on the fifth floor.

Just as the Second Master was ascending to heaven, the Heavenly Gate briefly appeared.

At this moment!

On the white low bed behind the pearl curtain, the armless old man who had lain there lifeless for so long began to heartbeat, slowly lifting his eyelids.

(End of Chapter)