BOOK 2: CHAPTER 473: SENIOR SISTER REACHES GREAT ASCENSION, RUSHES TO HAORI

Vol 2 Chapter 473 Senior Sister Reaches Great Ascension, Rushes to Haori

“They’re all here.”

Xiao Yuying handed a bag of turtle shells to Zheng Fa.

Zheng Fa took it and opened the storage pouch carefully. After a moment of scrutiny, it was no wonder these turtle shells had lasted so long. Although no spiritual energy could be detected, these shells themselves were not ordinary items. They seemed to be the carapace of a spiritual turtle, extremely sturdy in texture.

“What do you want these for?”

Xiao Yuying asked curiously, her gaze lingering on his face with clear interest.

“Just to take a look first.” Zheng Fa shook his head, not revealing his thoughts.

Though these items looked very much like the oracle bone inscriptions unearthed in modern times, whether they were exactly the same thing or not still required expert examination.

Xiao Yuying blinked, seemingly having thought of something, her expression clearly expectant. “Then I’ll be waiting.”

Zheng Fa chuckled silently in his heart;

this group was quite... accustomed to this.

“I’ll be going first.”

Xiao Yuying was momentarily stunned, then as if understanding something, she turned and looked toward the island where Senior Sister Zhang resided. A streak of rainbow light was already flying toward that island.

Zheng Fa landed in front of Senior Sister Zhang’s courtyard but did not enter immediately. Instead, he looked at Uncle Huang beside him, asking with his eyes.

Senior Sister Zhang had been secluded for breakthrough cultivation to Great Ascension for more than a month;

Zheng Fa came almost daily.

Uncle Huang shook his head, his gaze filled with concern. Zheng Fa also looked toward the courtyard quietly, waiting.

Three days later, the scene in the courtyard finally changed:

Black clouds gathered around the island;

the entire Three Enclosures and Four Symbols darkened.

“Wu Yi!”

Senior Sister Zhang, clad in white robes, leapt into the tribulation clouds, vanishing from sight.

Only wind, fire, and thunder intertwined in the air.

Uncle Huang clenched his fists tightly, staring unblinkingly into the depths of the dark clouds. Not once did he avert his eyes.

Streams of light flashed as Uncle Pang and several others landed beside them, also looking up at the depths of the tribulation clouds with expectant gazes.

Though not the first in the sect to reach Great Ascension, Senior Sister Zhang’s advancement was a significant boost in strength for the Jiushan Sect.

More importantly, it was a validation of the Yellow Court Scripture’s feasibility—Zheng Fa alone was an exception. Only with Senior Sister Zhang’s smooth breakthrough could the disciples gain peace of mind.

After two more hours, Senior Sister Zhang’s graceful figure broke through the tribulation clouds and stood in midair.

The rosy glow draped over her shoulders, and auspicious clouds resembling a white and gold skirt floated beneath her. The crowd couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

“Very smooth.” Uncle Pang smiled, his eyes disappearing beneath his eyebrows. “Once she passes the Heart Demon Tribulation, she’ll be the sect’s second Great Ascension.”

“Speaking of which, she only took twenty more years than Zheng Fa?” Xie Qingxue suddenly said. “Senior Patriarch Zhang took just over sixty years to go from Nascent Soul to Great Ascension?”

Everyone was surprised to hear this, and Xie Qingxue sighed sincerely, “Even in Xuanyi Realm, Senior Patriarch Zhang counts as an unparalleled prodigy. I really feel inferior.”

Indeed, Senior Sister Zhang’s speed from Nascent Soul to Great Ascension was much faster than others.

Among the Four Clans of Haori Mountain and many mountain sects, Senior Sister Zhang’s retreat and subsequent breakthrough were actually early. Xiao Yuying, Jiao Youji, and Ancestor of the Blood River all took a bit longer. Those eight others wasted thousands or even tens of thousands of years stuck at the Yanli stage.

Yet Senior Sister Zhang was the first after Zheng Fa to reach Great Ascension.

There were many reasons, mainly three:

First was naturally Senior Sister Zhang’s own talent. This talent was not just about her single spiritual root and primordial spiritual body but also her unparalleled aptitude in the Talisman Path. This giftedness allowed her to quickly comprehend the Yellow Court Scripture.

It could be said that within the Jiushan Sect, besides Zheng Fa, the founder, Senior Sister Zhang was the one with the deepest understanding of the Yellow Court Scripture.

The second reason was the Jiushan Sect’s relatively abundant resources:

Although Zheng Fa valued profit, he was not a miser, and Senior Sister Zhang was a senior member of the sect.

The maritime trade routes provided continuous spirit stones, and the spirit materials collected within Haori Mountain’s territory were sufficient to support a large sect like Haori Mountain.

Therefore, although there were many Jiushan Sect disciples, their cultivation levels were relatively low compared to Haori Mountain, so their resource needs were small.

Hence, whether Senior Sister Zhang or other disciples, they could obtain quite ample cultivation resources.

Of course, none of these was the fundamental reason.

The fundamental reason was the intimate relationship between her and Zheng Fa.

This intimacy was reflected in their dual cultivation. Before Nascent Soul, both practiced dual cultivation, but Zheng Fa benefited more.

Now, after Zheng Fa reached Great Ascension, he became Senior Sister Zhang’s external support. He poured his cultivation base into her without reserve, bringing her soaring every day.

Others in the Jiushan Sect did not have such a “fortune.”

Of course, this intimacy also showed in Zheng Fa’s complete openness with Senior Sister Zhang—he freely shared the difficult Great Ascension problems and secrets of the Yellow Court Scripture. Senior Sister Zhang understood better than anyone how Zheng Fa had step by step created the scripture.

In the past, Senior Sister Zhang paved her path to transcendence through her cultivation and insights. Now Zheng Fa could return the favor, sending her on her way.

Everyone seemed to understand the key points and looked at Zheng Fa with somewhat strange eyes, but no one spoke.

Only Yuan Xiaoniao spoke candidly: “I really envy Senior Sister!”

Uncle Huang’s worry eased a bit at Yuan Xiaoniao’s words but he shot her a glare. This silly bird envied what? Did she not see?

But since this bird was always good at growing in years, not wisdom, he shook his head quietly and paid it no mind.

Uncle Pang nodded slowly: “Indeed, enviable.”

“.....”

That Uncle Pang seemed off!

After a moment, Senior Sister Zhang passed the Heart Demon Tribulation and emerged victorious.

Jiushan Sect gained another Great Ascension, and the disciples naturally celebrated. But among the elders, the atmosphere turned slightly heavy—they all knew that with Senior Patriarch Zhang’s breakthrough, Zheng Fa would head to Haori Mountain.

In the Heavenly Palace Hall, Zheng Fa looked at the seated elders and arranged matters for his departure:

“According to our investigation, the Gu God should have fled far away.”

Elder Han reported: “There’s nothing unusual in Haori Mountain;

we don’t know if she has returned.”

“Don’t underestimate her,” Zheng Fa said to Xiao Yuying. “The Primordial Magnetism Formation cannot be careless.”

“Understood, I will arrange disciples to take shifts on guard.”

Zheng Fa nodded and then looked at Senior Sister Zhang: “How is the situation at Haori Mountain?”

“The insects have retreated, but the soil is polluted and poisonous,” Senior Sister Zhang frowned. “At least half the territory within Haori Mountain’s sphere of influence has been contaminated by Gu insects. The water is undrinkable, crops can’t grow in the soil, and even breathing there causes poisoning.”

Hearing this, Uncle Pang and others frowned deeply.

“Is there a way to solve it?”

Senior Sister Zhang looked at Mu Qingyan.

“We are researching it. The Gu insects are too varied;

it’s hard to find a universal antidote. We can only study different antidotes separately. Besides that, we need many cultivators to use spells to treat the toxins.”

“My Tranquility Bamboo can help, but it’s too consumptive,” Senior Sister Zhang said helplessly. “Even though I’m now Great Ascension, it’s still difficult to sustain.”

Uncle Pang spoke: “So if we want to advance quickly into Haori Mountain, it will be difficult?”

Zheng Fa replied firmly: “We can fight it, but it’s not worthwhile, and we can’t hold it. We can only clear as we advance.”

Though the Gu God had disappeared, the trouble she caused was huge.

Her army of insects was vast, the damage enormous. Even exhausting Senior Sister Zhang, it was hard to cleanse thoroughly.

If not cleansed, the place couldn’t be inhabited, and deploying the Primordial Magnetism Formation was out of the question.

After much thought, Zheng Fa made up his mind:

“Qingyan, you and Elder Xiong continue researching and manufacturing spiritual medicines to clear the Gu toxin.”

“Yes!”

“Uncle Pang.”

“Yes?”

“We can’t just raise those scattered cultivators we rescued for nothing.”

Uncle Pang immediately understood: “You want them to return to Haori Mountain and help us clear the poisonous land?”

“Help us?” Zheng Fa corrected, “Isn’t this their own home?”

“Exactly!” Uncle Pang got excited. “That works. Otherwise, if we sent Jiushan Sect disciples, I’d worry about accidents.”

Zheng Fa nodded lightly.

He bore no ill will toward those scattered cultivators but wasn’t selfless either. Naturally, he cared more about Jiushan Sect disciples’ lives—that was who he had worked hard to nurture.

With toxins on Haori Mountain and possibly the Gu God’s hidden hands, he didn’t want his disciples to risk themselves.

“Of course, they will receive merit points,” Zheng Fa said thoughtfully. “We must also explain the situation clearly. Those willing to go will be considered contributors to Jiushan Sect and will be absorbed preferentially in the future. Those unwilling can go their own way but can no longer remain in Jiushan Realm.”

Uncle Pang agreed: “Understood. Jiushan Sect does not raise idlers.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. They had meetings every day with task after task;

how could they let those scattered cultivators live in luxury?

“As for attacking Haori Mountain...” Zheng Fa said helplessly, “Our cultivators and those from several factions have been fighting for months, but it’s no match for the havoc one Gu God causes.”

“...”

Even Xie Qingxue, who hated Haori Mountain deeply, showed a trace of sympathy.

The Gu God’s emergence against Jiushan Sect did little damage to the sect, but Haori Mountain suffered terribly.

According to captured Lu Clan members, the Gu God’s actions were not free. Her insect army required daily living creatures for sustenance.

At first, it was poultry and spirit beasts. Later, Haori Mountain couldn’t bear it and she began capturing people and scattered cultivators.

Now Haori Mountain was a scorched ruin.

Uncle Pang couldn’t help but sigh: “At first, we fought under the banner of exterminating demons and protecting the way—I didn’t believe it myself.”

“Now it’s true;

we really have to save Haori Mountain from fire and water.”

Zheng Fa could only shake his head and said to Senior Sister Zhang: “In that case, let those scattered cultivators clear the toxins while our disciples follow to prepare the great formation.”

Senior Sister Zhang nodded gently.

Zheng Fa then looked at Xie Qingxue: “Fairy Xie, please lead the Divine Thunder Warships to escort those scattered cultivators.”

“Understood.”

With the preliminary plan for Jiushan Sect’s next steps set, Zheng Fa rotated his wrist and produced the Yin-Yang Dual Energy Bottle.

“This treasure bottle, I entrust to you, Senior Sister, to guard against the Gu God’s return.”

Senior Sister Zhang was already Great Ascension and capable of using the Yin-Yang Dual Energy Bottle without burden.

This treasure was a natural counter to the Gu God, combined with the Profound Earth Primordial Magnetism Formation and the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation hidden within Jiushan Realm.

Triple protection. With Zheng Fa’s cautious nature, he felt about 80 to 90 percent assured.

But Senior Sister Zhang seemed unconvinced: “You keep this treasure, to prevent the Gu God from reaching Nine Luminaries Heaven.”

“I already have a plan. This time, I’ll enter Haori Mountain under a false identity,” Zheng Fa revealed his idea. “Those Gu insects seem very sensitive to this bottle. If I carry it, and the Gu God senses it, it would ruin my plan.”

A false identity.

Everyone turned to look toward a corner of the hall. Shi Nandang slowly raised a finger, pointing at himself: “Me?”

.......

At the foot of Haori Mountain, the giant city shaped like a mosquito coil still stood grandly, but inside it was rather desolate.

Two Jiushan Sect undercover agents pushed a crepe stand through city gates, passing home after home with half-open doors and closed shops. The streets were empty of people.

“So much has changed...”

The two exchanged a worried glance. Many people had disappeared. If not for the Lu Clan standing behind them, they probably wouldn’t be alive.

They arrived at their stall;

another vendor was missing.

“Where is everyone?”

A Jiushan Sect female disciple asked those nearby.

“Who knows? With this situation, business is impossible. Maybe they’ve given up.”

The female disciple nodded. Most people no longer dared go out, afraid of being handed over to the Demon Ancestor. Business was bad.

Even they barely scraped by;

without sect tasks and support, they wouldn’t want to continue.

Haori Mountain looked like a doomed sect!

“Not continuing?” An old man selling magical tools spoke up, “He wants to keep going!”

“How so?”

Hearing this, nearby people grew interested and asked.

The old man said nothing more, just held his long tobacco pipe and lightly tapped it on the ground.

“Come, come, smoke mine! Good stuff!”

A man stepped forward and pulled out a small bag of tobacco from his chest.

The old man smiled with satisfaction, slowly packed the pipe, lit it, and took a slow draw before saying: “They’ve been delivered.”

Delivered...

No one needed to ask to know to whom. Now in Haori Mountain, the word “delivered” made everyone understand.

“He’s backed by...”

“Backed by what?” The old man sneered coldly. “At this age, everyone’s struggling for their own lives. Who cares about backing? Who’s stronger than the Gu God?”

“What about the Gu God?”

“I heard she’s gone mad, demanding tribute constantly,” the old man’s voice turned cold. “Not just us, even the Three Clans have had people sent away.”

“The Three Clans?” The vendors widened their eyes. “How’s that possible?”

“How not possible? Immortal Luo is gone. What reliance does Luo Clan have now?”

“At least some incense burning...”

“He’s the Demon Ancestor. What incense are you talking about?” The old man sneered. “Those high-ranking disciples of the Three Clans only feel pain when they get hit themselves!”

“Shh...”

Several disciples of the Three Clans appeared in the distance.

The vendors quickly dispersed. The old man put out his pipe, bowed respectfully, and dared not bring bad luck.

Sure enough, the group looked furious as they walked through the market.

Among them were several Luo Clan disciples and several Yun Clan disciples, but no Lu Clan members.

“My clan uncle, though a branch and not direct Luo bloodline, worked hard for Haori Mountain all his life. Now he’s feeding the insects!” a Luo Clan man shouted. “Is this still Haori Mountain? Is this still an immortal sect?”

The others from Luo Clan also looked very unhappy.

“Don’t think the Gu God will spare you!” Seeing Yun Clan silent, the Luo Clan disciple said directly, “Though Immortal Yun is still here, that’s the Demon Ancestor! Will the Gu God care about Immortal Yun?”

“If they occupy Haori Mountain, the first to deal with will be Immortal Yun! After that, will Haori Mountain still belong to the Three Clans?”

The Yun Clan members exchanged glances but said nothing.

At first, they captured scattered cultivators, then their subordinates, and now even their own people!

Though reluctant to admit it, they had to acknowledge the Luo Clan man might be right.

“One Gu God has already severely damaged Haori Mountain’s vitality, and there are two more Demon Ancestors behind...” the Luo Clan disciple continued. “How will the Three Clans have a place in the future?”

“What about Lu Clan?”

“Lu Clan? They’re the ones doing the capturing!” Hearing this, the Luo Clan members’ faces darkened further. They gritted their teeth: “No wonder they’re the successors of the Original Demon Ancestor!”

The others gasped: “Are you crazy?”

“Crazy? Inside we have the Gu God, outside the Jiushan Sect, and Immortal Yun trapped in the Underworld. Who in Haori Mountain dares say they can survive?”

These words left others speechless.

“Haori Mountain no longer has anyone to protect us and shelter disciples!”

At that moment, a loud shout came from afar: “Welcome Patriarch Shi!”

A crowd stood in the market, staring blankly toward the outer city, seemingly unable to believe their ears.

Until a cultivator ran into the inner city, elated and shouting loudly: “Patriarch Shi Nandang has returned!”