Chapter 200: Ascending to Immortality?

Across the Lands, Beacon Fires Stirring Lords

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After the Crown Prince and his retinue swiftly departed from Wudi City, the peculiar child calculated with his fingers, his face turning ashen. Suddenly, he leaped off his horse and began rolling on the road, throwing a tantrum, snot and tears streaming down his face. His heart-wrenching, pitiful appearance made it seem as if his rogue father had been slain by righteous individuals. Xu Fengnian had already learned from Qing Yi about Deng Tai'a’s divine ability to kill with flying swords in the city, as well as the conversation between the Peach Blossom Sword God and the child, vaguely guessing the child's absurd background. The little brat, covered in dust from rolling, finally stood with hands on hips in the middle of the road, facing southwest. Wiping away his snot and tears, he began to curse loudly: "Damn Zhao Huangchao, that bastard is despicable! Why are you picking a fight with our Longhu Mountain? Wasn't it just that the Celestial Master's Residence didn't let a woman you liked ascend the mountain to burn incense back then? It's just a squabble among juniors; why are you, an old man who has cultivated for generations, holding a grudge? Don't you dare think you're Patriarch Lu and I wouldn't speak up! Of course, I'm just reasoning with you, please don't fight me! Nine lotus flowers of fortune, nine of them! This humble Taoist has so little family fortune, and you've wasted it all for this old man! This humble Taoist has been frugal his whole life; was it easy? Was it easy?!"

By the end, the child, repeatedly referring to himself as "this humble Taoist," began to sob and choke, his small shoulders trembling. It was truly a sight that would make listeners weep and observers grieve. Xu Fengnian, with a schadenfreude expression, glanced at the crowded East Sea in the distance, finding amusement in their difficult situation. He rode his horse next to Long Yuxuan and asked with a smile, "Aren't you going to comfort your son?"

Long Yuxuan, utterly mortified and at a loss, his face twitching and covered in cold sweat, thought, "Son? This kid, whom the new Sword God respectfully calls an 'old immortal,' it would be a huge gain for me to even acknowledge him as my grandfather!"

The critical point was that the child, as if on purpose, turned and called out "Dad" to Long Yuxuan. Even a clay idol has a temper, and Long Yuxuan immediately retorted, "Ancestor, stop playing around! Can I just call you my true ancestor?"

The peculiar child rolled his eyes and said, "Just because I call you 'Dad' makes you my dad? Then if I go to the capital and call the emperor 'grandson,' does that make him my grandson? Look at you, so pathetic!"

Long Yuxuan almost spat out a mouthful of blood. If not for concern about his hidden identity, he would have dismounted and hung that little brat up for a beating. Xu Fengnian glanced at the bickering pair, his gaze finally resting on the child's youthful face. He recalled seeing descriptions in Taoist texts like "over a hundred years old yet appearing as an infant," used to depict the miraculous nature of Taoist immortals. The phrase "three talents meet to form the true infant" resonated with the New Sword God Deng Tai'a's concept of returning to simplicity. Noticing the Crown Prince's discerning gaze, the child patted his backside, striking a pose of a profound master. He habitually went to stroke his beard, but after two attempts, found nothing there. Only then did he remember that, having emerged from his seclusion, his body was that of a child, and there was no beard for him to stroke theatrically. He gave an embarrassed smile, and without pretense or concealment, strutted over to Long Yuxuan, climbed back onto his horse, and rode alongside the Crown Prince, saying, "This humble Taoist is Zhao Xuanyi of Longhu Mountain."

Although Xu Fengnian was mentally prepared, his heart still trembled upon hearing the rascal introduce himself. Among the four Celestial Masters of the contemporary Taoist ancestral court, the two old Celestial Masters, Zhao Xiyi and Zhao Xizhuang, belonged to the 'Xi' generation. Not only were they highly esteemed in the Zhao family lineage of the Celestial Master's Residence, but their position in Taoist traditions across the land was also preeminent, revered for their virtue and prestige. After the 'Xi' generation came 'Dan,' thus the brothers Zhao Danxia and Zhao Danping were of the 'Dan' generation, followed by the 'Jing' generation. Besides Zhao Xiyi and Zhao Xizhuang, Longhu Mountain also had some 'Xi' generation elder Taoist masters who remained in seclusion. However, they were either not direct descendants of the Celestial Master's Residence or possessed mediocre abilities, far less famous than the two old Celestial Masters. Yet, a 'Xuan' generation, two ranks senior to the 'Xi' generation, had never been heard of outside the mountain. Seventy years was already considered an old age in the world, and this individual before Xu Fengnian had, conservatively estimated, lived for at least two such lifetimes. The Crown Prince rode his horse up a high slope, seemingly determined to wait there for the Old Sword God Li Chungang. The child, who claimed to be a 'Xuan' generation Longhu Taoist master, frowned and said, "Not leaving? Being this close, aren't you afraid Li Chungang will be defeated by Wang Xianzhi again? If that happens, you'll be in deep trouble. Deng Tai'a killing people and gifting swords in Wudi City clearly shows he had something in mind."

Xu Fengnian gazed silently at the sea. The pearwood sword box containing twelve flying swords was placed in his carriage. He dared not take Deng Tai'a, who carried a peach blossom, lightly. Deng Tai'a was renowned for his eccentric words and deeds, making it hard to distinguish truth from falsehood. If that fellow dug a pit, Xu Fengnian couldn't possibly be so simple-minded as to jump in without a second thought and bury himself alive. Earlier, Prince Jing'an, Zhao Heng, had gifted him a sword manual by Wang Xianzhi, but Xu Fengnian also hadn't rushed to practice it. He still needed to wait until he returned to Beiliang and had it appraised by "White Fox Face" to confirm it was beneficial and harmless before attempting it. What if, while practicing, he initially progressed at a thousand li a day, but then his meridians burst and his martial arts were completely crippled? To whom would Xu Fengnian complain then?

The battle on the East Sea surface was a mighty storm, turning rivers and seas upside down, with a vast curtain of swords. The onlookers from Wudi City, gathered by the shore, were dumbfounded, never imagining martial artists could fight like this. Dozens of Jianghu figures who wished to observe closely were torn to shreds by the internal energy and sword intent, leaving no trace of their bodies. Wang Xianzhi, the Lord of Wudi City, with his white beard and hair, clad in a black robe, tall and imposing, stood barefoot with hands behind his back atop the raging waves. He allowed eighteen hundred swords to surge forth in layers, breaking apart three zhang (approx. 10 meters) away and falling into the sea. After eight hundred flying swords, they barely managed to push within two zhang. With another six hundred swords, they finally reached one zhang from Wang Xianzhi. The abundant sword energy clashed with powerful internal energy, interweaving like lightning, hissing, and piercing the eardrums. Another three hundred swords struck the body of Wang Xianzhi, who wore a black robe and had white hair, shattering inch by inch but leaving him completely unharmed. The spectators, who had assumed the old man in sheepskin would run out of tricks after the initial eighteen hundred swords proved ineffective, were stunned when the old fellow slowly uttered the words "Sword complete." All the broken swords that had fallen into the sea surfaced, coalescing in a forge-like manner into a peerless giant sword, spanning between the two men.

When the sword was complete, the firmament cracked, and brilliant golden light slowly poured down.

The unremarkable-looking old man laughed loudly, saying, "Can this sword of Li Chungang's open the Heavenly Gate and slay you, Wang Xianzhi?"

Li Chungang opened the Heavenly Gate with a single sword stroke.

Straight to the point, this mountain is Kunlun.

The group on the hillside watched, their minds dazed. This was truly a terrestrial immortal.

As Shu Xiu, Yang Qingfeng, and even Qingniao instinctively looked up at the peak battle on the East Sea, horse screams and the clang of drawn blades reached their ears. Turning back, they saw that the steeds ridden by Long Yuxuan and the peculiar child had been "severed" at the waist. Long Yuxuan, who had been excitedly watching the battle, sat in a pool of blood, his face bewildered, unsure why the horse had broken in half at the waist, as if a chopstick had been snapped by two fingers. Even stranger, the terrifyingly senior-ranked "little ancestor" of Longhu Mountain stood between the two halves of the horse's corpse, his face as calm as still water. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince, who had drawn his blade to kill, had been forced to sheath his Xiudong, but then also drew his Donglei.

Zhao Xuansu, whose appearance starkly contrasted with his age and wisdom, offered a faint, unsettling smile and asked, "Xu Fengnian, how did you know this humble Taoist intended to strike at you?"

Xu Fengnian smiled faintly, "Old Celestial Master Zhao, after learning your identity, this prince wondered why the Old Sword God Li Chungang and the New Sword God Deng Tai'a, whose realms are nearly equal, only found your origin strange but couldn't discern your transcendent immortal realm? It's simple: within Wudi City, you had already harbored murderous intent towards this prince, revealing subtle traces of your qi flow. Originally, you intended to have this prince perish violently before the six martial slaves in Wudi City while Li Chungang was absent, framing Wang Xianzhi. However, in all your calculations, you failed to account for Deng Tai'a also entering the city with concealed presence, thus exposing your true identity. If it were merely limited to that, this prince, always respectful of masters, would not have drawn my blade against you. Old Immortal Zhao descending the mountain and acknowledging Long Yuxuan as your father, this prince merely assumed it was an otherworldly master whose actions couldn't be fathomed by common sense, perhaps finding Longhu Mountain too dull and wishing to experience the mortal world. May I ask, Old Immortal Zhao, was it for the nine withered lotus flowers of fortune in the Dragon Pool that you completely decided to kill this prince, even losing your patience?"

Zhao Xuansu replied with a calm, faint smile, "Those outside the mountains and beyond say you are a mere bag of straw, outwardly splendid but inwardly rotten. This humble Taoist, having seen you in person on this journey, truly feels a bit of injustice on your behalf, young prince."

Xu Fengnian, no longer holding back, narrowed his eyes and said, "Furthermore, Old Immortal, you might not know this, but before reaching Longhu, on Mount Kuanglu, this prince once dealt with Zhao Huangchao. Just now, when Old Immortal poured out his true feelings and spoke from the heart while on the ground, others might not grasp its significance, but this prince was drenched in cold sweat listening to it. To be honest..."

Zhao Xuansu smiled, extended his arm, and with a surge of energy transformed into profound mystery, he absorbed his "cheap" father, who had faced him like a great enemy, into his youthful palm. With a bang, the man exploded like a snowball, his corpse falling to the ground, even more gruesome than the severed horses. This Taoist, who perfectly embodied great age, merely stared at the Crown Prince, not even glancing at the dead Long Yuxuan with his eyes wide open. He simply remarked lightly, "Life is unpredictable; fortune and misfortune are intertwined."

Xu Fengnian showed no surprise whatsoever, nor did he turn his head to look at the rogue who had just become a guest of Beiliang and died violently in a foreign land. He didn't even wipe away the trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. He looked down at the Longhu Mountain ancestor and asked curiously, "This prince merely had a lucky guess that Old Immortal would strike, but as for why such a fatal blow was necessary, I'm still somewhat confused. I hope Old Immortal can enlighten me."

Zhao Xuansu extended both hands and pressed them downwards. Shu Xiu and Yang Qingfeng, along with their horses, seemed to be instantly subjected to immense pressure, forcing them to the ground. The two horses were crushed into pulp, and the two Beiliang attendants struggled to resist, bleeding from all seven orifices. Against this Longhu Mountain ancestor, they were utterly defenseless.

The Taoist glanced at the East Sea surface and chuckled, "The Crown Prince wishes to stall for time? No matter. Is this humble Taoist not also waiting for the Heavenly Gate to open? Li Chungang, oh Li Chungang, truly worthy of being the foremost swordsman for five hundred years since Patriarch Lu."

Shu Xiu, close to death, vomited blood and struggled on the ground, "Your Highness, save me!"

Xu Fengnian ignored her, smiling, "What? Old Immortal, possessing such profound divine abilities, are you still afraid of being entangled by that ethereal fortune, unable to ascend?"

The Taoist sighed, "How could I not be afraid? Since things have come to this, I shall explain clearly. This humble Taoist, Zhao Xuansu, is but a hair's breadth from achieving immortality and ascension. It was so before the last sixty-year cycle, and regrettably, it remains so after. Just as this humble Taoist just slew Long Yuxuan, I cannot escape the four words 'fortune and misfortune are intertwined.' The Zhao family of the Celestial Master's Residence, to which this humble Taoist belongs, shares the same surname as the Imperial Zhao clan. Five hundred years of karmic entanglement, much like the Xuanwu totem of a tortoise entwined with a snake, their destinies have long been muddled. As the ancients say, 'Even a just official finds it hard to settle family disputes.' Even this humble Taoist, who possesses some understanding of the origins of fortune, cannot untangle or cleanse it. When I entered Wudi City and encountered Deng Tai'a, this humble Taoist had actually already lessened his murderous intent. When your destiny was robust and you were not fated to die, this humble Taoist was content to be a reclusive tortoise, hiding away in that small corner of Longhu Mountain. Unfortunately, upon reaching this place, Li Chungang actually opened the Heavenly Gate with his sword. If this humble Taoist were to kill you, I could seize the opportunity to ascend. Look, that is the Heavenly Gate. This humble Taoist once made a wager with Zhao Huangchao: whoever ascends first loses a seal. If this humble Taoist ascends today, it will be a karmic retribution. If that old bastard dares to claim the seal, he will have to go find Zhao Huangchao. As for you, Xu Fengnian, dying right under Wang Xianzhi's nose, the Zhao imperial court can then use Xu Xiao's butcher's blade to carve out the rotten flesh of Wudi City. Wicked people deal with wicked people, and it can also be considered a small compensation from this humble Taoist to my century-old friend, Zhao Huangchao."

Xu Fengnian clicked his tongue in admiration, "Old Immortal, you play a good game."

Zhao Xuansu laughed heartily, "This humble Taoist has lived a long life; my Taoist cultivation is ordinary, but my skin is thick."

The Taoist smiled, "I advise you not to hope that those two terrestrial immortals over there will notice anything amiss here. This humble Taoist still has that much capability."

A Shana spear curved like a crescent moon, sweeping down through the air.

Zhao Xuansu remained motionless, allowing the Shana spear to strike his youthful body. Yet, in the next instant, Qingniao was sent flying backward, spitting blood.

The Taoist lamented, "What a pity for this girl's innate talent."

He then looked at the Crown Prince, seemingly with some mockery, "Can you still keep your composure?"

Qingniao staggered to her feet, the Shana spear still firmly in her grip.

Xu Fengnian glanced and saw Shu Xiu and Yang Qingfeng struggling. He waved a hand to stop Qingniao, who was attempting to fight the Taoist to the death, and asked, "Must everyone here die?"

Zhao Xuansu nodded.

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "Then let me go first?"

Zhao Xuansu wasted no words, instantly using "Ground Shrinking into Inches" to flash before Xu Fengnian, giving him no chance to draw his blade to block. His move was a deadly strike.

"Hehe."

Just as he was about to touch the Crown Prince.

A hand-blade strangely appeared and stabbed.

Even someone as highly cultivated as Zhao Xuansu was repelled by this elusive move. Looking down, he saw a crimson cut on his neck.

Looking up, he saw a girl with an old-fashioned smile.

Zhao Xuansu frowned. Seeing the sword opening the Heavenly Gate in the distance, spanning the horizon between sea and sky, it was clearly the optimal moment. He twisted his neck, his body crackling continuously, emitting strange sounds like a string of soybeans exploding.

Zhao Xuansu sneered, "Not bad, not bad. The Crown Prince has some skill, actually forcing this humble Taoist to reveal my true form."

The Taoist's bones and flesh began to grow, like an old tree reviving in spring.

Xu Fengnian said calmly, "'A true master does not reveal himself.' So that's what it means. You, a so-called master, are truly not so great. Not to mention the Old Sword God Li Chungang, even the New Sword God Deng Tai'a is far superior."

Zhao Xuansu, enraged, burst into laughter towards the sky.

"Nephew, that flattery was mediocre."

A uniquely mellow voice drifted up from below the hillside.

"First, the sword was gifted, returning half the favor. Then, the killing, returning the other half. I've saved you twice. From today, Deng Tai'a and your mother, Wu Su, owe each other nothing more."

"A true master does not reveal himself; one who reveals himself is not a true master. How can he be a master who is not great? Clearly, he's lived his whole life in vain. Deng Tai'a has come to slay a dog."

"Since Elder Li's sword is complete on the East Sea, setting such a high precedent, it would be unseemly for Deng Tai'a to make a fool of himself."

"Sword rise!"

For the first time, a look of panic appeared on Zhao Xuansu's face. He asked furiously, "Deng Tai'a, how did you know of the changes here?!"

"Deng Tai'a cultivates his swords. How could the world know when they have reached their peak?"

Standing ten zhang away, Deng Tai'a spread his hands and smiled faintly, "Emei, Zhuque, Huangtong."

"Pifu, Jinlü."

"Tai'a."

Six small swords burst from the box.

They respectively pierced Zhao Xuansu's crown, both temples, and his three dantians.

"Taoism states that a Grand True Man who achieves immortality can cause the earth to sink and rivers to shatter. Why don't you let Deng see such a sight?"

His physical body collapsed, yet Zhao Xuansu forcefully performed the Ethereal Spirit Departure!

Like a startling rainbow, his spirit streaked towards the Heavenly Gate.

Deng Tai'a stepped forward, still unhurried, and said with a gentle smile, "Wish to ascend to immortality? You'll need to ask Deng Tai'a's sword first."

"Come back!"

The six flying swords were clearly only impaled in Zhao Xuansu's physical body, yet their outlines were projected onto the Taoist's ethereal spirit, radiating golden light.

They actually dragged the ethereal spirit forcefully back into the body.

Without another word, Xu Fengnian split him in half with a single saber stroke, grinning ferociously, "I'll make you ascend to immortality!"