My exclusive card pool

Chapter 268 The Secret of Ascension
"Wang Xizhi?"

"He's a true disciple of the Ink Sword Sect, yet I've never heard of him before..."

"When did Master Song take in such a talented disciple?"

“It’s truly remarkable!”

"It seems that another ascendant is about to emerge from this 'Great Wilderness'!"

Upon hearing such an unfamiliar name, many cultivators present were filled with emotion and began to discuss it animatedly.

The so-called "Great Wilderness" is this otherworldly realm, encompassing numerous immortal sects such as the Four Symbols Court, Rotten Axe Mountain, Douxuan Kingdom, Ink Sword Pavilion, Linglun Martial Arts Pavilion, and Wanfa Hedao Sect.

The surroundings became increasingly noisy.

Only Jingming, Ziyi, and other disciples of the Mo Jian Zhai sect, along with their accompanying disciples, were shocked and speechless.

They set off at almost the same time as Uncle Wang, but less than two days later, Uncle Wang single-handedly eradicated the entire Winter Sect of the Heavenly Alliance...

Even if the four hall masters joined forces, they probably couldn't do it, right?

"Uncle Wang, he..."

A chubby-cheeked woman said in surprise.

"Didn't you just start practicing not long ago? How... how could you have such a profound level of cultivation?"

“The Winter Sect is full of powerful figures, including seven great cultivator elders, and the sect leader is only one step away from ascension… Could it be that my uncle has invited other helpers?”

Jingming frowned, completely baffled.

Ziyi smiled and said, "No matter what, my uncle's move this time has truly brought fame to my Mojianzhai and greatly shocked the Tianmeng."

Her brows furrowed with undisguised joy, and her eyes revealed a hint of reverence.

"Even the other immortal cultivators present will no longer look down on us."

“Senior Sister is right.” Another male disciple nodded, letting out a sigh of relief: “When I return this time, I will definitely ask my Uncle for more guidance.”

While everyone was chatting and laughing, Batu, the leader of the Douxuan Kingdom, looked embarrassed and ashamed.

The surrounding cultivators cast amused glances at them.

Just now, they were belittling the disciples of Mo Jian Zhai, saying that the younger generation had no hope of revenge, but... the true disciples of Mo Jian Zhai had already taken swift and decisive action, wiping out the entire Dongmen sect of the Tianmeng.

Now let's see how your Douxuan Kingdom will handle this!

"Fellow Daoist Jingming, Fellow Daoist Ziyi, and all fellow Daoists from Mojianzhai..."

Batu gritted his teeth, picked up his long spear, and quickly turned back.

He removed his helmet and handed it to his subordinate, then clasped his hands in a fist salute, knelt on one knee before the Mo Jian Zhai disciples, and bowed his head, saying:

"Just now, I spoke without thinking and offended many people. I hope you will forgive me, fellow Daoist... Your esteemed fellow Daoist Wang is exceptionally talented. You actually wiped out the Winter Sect with your own strength. I admire you!"

Jingming and Ziyi exchanged a surprised glance.

The other disciples of Mojianzhai could hardly contain their smugness.

"Fellow Daoist Ba, you flatter me."

Jingming said calmly.

"Now that we are allies, we should be united against the enemy. Let's forget about what just happened."

"Thank you for your understanding, fellow Daoist."

Batu breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn't want to offend the true disciple of Mo Jian Zhai over such a trivial matter.

The Heavenly Alliance Winter Gate was wiped out so easily; they must be ruthless.

He stood up, clasped his hands in apology repeatedly, and then led his men away in a dejected manner.

Watching the Douxuan Kingdom's troops leave, Ziyi sneered: "To be defiant in the beginning and then obsequious in the end, it's truly laughable."

"Most cultivators in the Douxuan Kingdom are like this."

Jingming shook his head.

"If it weren't for Uncle Wang's shocking act that stunned him, he would probably still be looking down on us."

Listening to the discussions of the crowd, Li Qingke smiled, but was also quite moved.

In a way, he could be considered Wang Xi's guide. It was he who personally brought Wang Xi to this secluded Enlightenment Platform with Enlightenment Tea, which led to their acquaintance with Confucius of the Ink Sword Pavilion.

Unexpectedly, in just a few months, Wang Xi has already developed such terrifying strength.

Fellow practitioners.

Li Qingke raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet and spoke loudly.

"Fellow Daoist Wang's move is truly inspiring. Our Four Symbols Court will also send two Palace Masters to accompany the main force to attack the Heavenly Alliance."

"?!"

Upon hearing this, all the cultivators on the Enlightenment Platform showed surprise.

The Four Symbols Court has four mountain peaks, each guarded by a Palace Master, and all the Palace Masters are Ascended!
The four palace masters usually live in seclusion, rarely seen, but unexpectedly, two of them accompanied us today.

Everyone's confidence increased greatly.

cracking!!

Suddenly, a clear, crisp cry pierced the sky.

The cultivators looked up and saw a fire phoenix, about seven or eight zhang tall, spreading its wings and flying in, leaving a trail of dazzling flames in its wake.

A wave of intense heat swept over us.

Roar! !

On the other side of the sky, another deafening roar of a strange beast rang out.

A six-zhang-tall white tiger charged through the air.

As soon as the two strange beasts landed in the center of the Enlightenment Platform, all the cultivators hurriedly bowed and paid their respects.

"Greetings, Palace Master Yu and Palace Master Fang!"

The visitors were none other than Yu Lingguang, the Lord of the Vermilion Bird Palace, and Fang Jianbing, the Lord of the White Tiger Palace.

Wang Xi had met the former, a woman in a red robe and wearing a crown, while the latter was a burly, shirtless man with disheveled hair and an unkempt appearance.

"You don't have to be polite."

Yu Lingguang parted her red lips slightly and smiled elegantly.

The shirtless, burly man waved his hand and said, "Hahaha, now that all the disciples from various sects have gathered, let's set off... I haven't fought anyone in a long time, and I'm looking forward to testing the methods of the Heavenly Alliance leaders."

With a command from the White Tiger Palace Master, streaks of light flashed across the Enlightenment Platform, heading straight for the Heavenly Alliance's blessed land.

...

...

Wang Xi was unaware of what had happened.

He had already returned to Mojianzhai.

His single-handed annihilation of the Winter Gate also shocked the Four Hall Masters and the Masters.

He became famous overnight.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent!" In Chengmo Hall, the head of the Book Hall, Ling Yuan, suddenly stood up, his face full of joy. "Junior Brother's actions this time have truly brought honor to our Mojianzhai."

Qu Muqing and the other two hall masters also looked incredulous.

They originally thought that it would be quite good if Wang Xi could kill a few Heavenly Alliance disciples, but they never expected that... he would wipe out the entire Winter Gate!

"Junior brother, you..."

Qu Muqing looked at the black-robed youth with suspicion, seemingly wanting to get to know this junior brother again.

However, she couldn't see anything.

I might have been oblivious before, but now that I can't see through it, it can only mean one thing.

That would mean the difference in their cultivation levels was too great...

This caused Qu Muqing's heart to churn. Had Wang Xi already cultivated the inner realm and outer appearance, or even gone further? But even if he was exceptionally talented, it shouldn't be this fast!

"I have successfully completed my mission."

Wang Xichao bowed to his master, who was in the main seat.

The master of the temple, Song Hui, looked at him intently for a moment, stroked his long beard, and after a long while, finally spoke:
"Xizhi, you did a great job, even better than I expected... Have you thought about what reward you want?"

Wang Xi thought for a moment, then lowered his head and said, "If possible, this disciple would like to go to the top floor of the cultivation technique pavilion for a look."

However, a hint of disappointment flashed in Song Hui's eyes.

He shook his head and smiled, "With your contributions, there's naturally no problem. You can go anytime."

the end.

Song Hui called out to Wang Xi: "Xi Zhi, you... come with me."

Although Wang Xi was puzzled, he obediently followed.

After the master and disciple entered the inner hall, Song Hui, with his hands behind his back and without turning his head, said:

"Xi Zhi, have you already attained the external form?"

Wang Xi was not surprised by this.

Within the entire Mo Jian Zhai, perhaps only Song Hui, an ascended being, could discern his true nature.

"Reporting to Master, I have indeed attained the Outer Form, but it was after joining the Ink Sword Sect that I learned 'Wandering in the Mind' from you, and my progress has been rapid..."

he whispered.

Before he could finish speaking, Song Hui raised his hand to stop him.

"No need for further words," he said calmly. "I believe in you; you are not a person with ulterior motives..."

Song Hui suddenly sighed, "Xi Zhi, you remind me more and more of my senior brother... He was also so talented that he overshadowed his fellow disciples and even the genius disciples of all the immortal sects in the Great Wilderness."

He turned around and stared at Wang Xi.

“Xi Zhi, I think it’s time to tell you the secrets of ascension.”

Wang Xi was stunned.

He had long wanted to know how to ascend to immortality in order to completely resolve the hidden danger of "seeing the dead," but he couldn't bring himself to ask.

When his master, Song Hui, offered to help, he immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, Master."

Song Hui smiled and said slowly, "The so-called 'ascension' is actually a transformation for cultivators. It is not the result, but the process."

"The process?" Wang Xi asked, somewhat puzzled.

“Not bad.” Song Hui looked out the window and said. “Once a cultivator attains the Outer Manifestation, they will enter the purview of the ‘Will of Heaven’…and may encounter ‘Death at any time.’”

"Of course, the so-called 'anytime' could be tomorrow, or it could be a lifetime without ever encountering it."

Song Hui glanced at Wang Xi.

"It depends on the level of one's cultivation. The more perfect one's cultivation, the easier it is to 'see loss'."

"And this is only the beginning. If one witnesses three deaths but does not report good news, one will encounter a great calamity, with no chance of survival."

Wang Xi knew about the "mourning".

But what exactly is "reporting good news"?!

He had never heard of it.

"Master, what does 'reporting good news' mean?"

Wang Xi humbly sought advice.

Song Hui paused for a moment before continuing:
"The 'good news' is actually a tribulation of lightning."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xi immediately understood: "So, if one survives the 'good news' lightning tribulation before witnessing the 'mourning' three times, one is considered to have successfully ascended?"

However, to his surprise, Song Hui shook his head.

“It’s not that I’m immortal,” Song Hui said quietly. “It’s that I must die.”

"Must he die?"

Wang Xi was stunned.

What could be the reason for this?

How can one ascend to heaven after death?

Song Hui didn't keep them in suspense but directly stated the reason: "The 'Good News' lightning tribulation won't kill anyone."

"It can't kill anyone?!"

Wang Xi was even more astonished.

In his mind, aren't all the myths, legends, and fantasy novels about cultivators undergoing tribulations to cleanse themselves and ascend to the higher realms?
How come things are completely different here?

"The 'seeing death' is a harbinger of impending doom from the 'Will of Heaven' to great cultivators, suggesting that their time to die is near... while the 'harbinger of good news' from heaven means that the auspicious time has arrived."

"If you do not choose to die willingly, then 'seeing death' will truly make you die. At that time, your body and soul will perish, and everything will cease to exist."

"Only by facing death and being reborn can one transform and ascend; this is the 'process' that I speak of."

Song Hui said in a deep voice:
"A transformation process from the inside out, from the body to the mind, from a cultivator to an 'immortal'."

"What should this disciple do?"

Wang Xi hurriedly bowed.

"Please enlighten me, Master."

Song Hui nodded: "At that time, after you have experienced the 'meeting of the dead' and the 'bringing of good news,' you will need to discard one by one amidst the heavenly thunder—your physical body, your internal organs, your primordial spirit, and your inner and outer magical powers—ultimately turning into nothingness."

"?!"

Wang Xi was stunned.

When all people have turned to nothingness, what's the point of ascending to immortality...?

Is it really that mysterious?
"Don't think I'm exaggerating."

Song Hui said.

"This is the secret to ascension. Although the process is extremely painful, it is the only way to ascend. Only by turning into nothingness in the heavenly lightning can one enter the 'Netherworld' in the last moment of remaining consciousness. All factors are indispensable."

"Master, where is the 'Netherworld'?"

Wang Xi's mind was filled with more and more doubts.

Song Hui was patient and explained in a calm tone: "'Netherworld' is similar to 'Beyond the World'. Both do not exist in the ordinary world and must be entered in a very special way."

"The location of the Underworld is the edge and crevice of the 'Netherworld'. And cultivators must go to the 'Netherworld' to ascend."

Song Hui's expression turned solemn.

hum-

He opened his mouth and spat out a golden pill the size of a quail egg. The golden pill emitted a radiant light, revealing the phantom images of a white horse and a white ape.

"Master, this is..."

Wang Xi was very surprised and asked.

"This is my 'Golden Core,' which is also the source of magical power transformed from the inner vision of an ascendant. It is a product of the transformation process."

Song Hui said.

"Remember this saying: 'The mind is like a monkey, and the will is like a horse, so you must pass through three trials.' This is the secret to ascension, and it is also the key that Senior Brother Chen Sanyuan, the 'Mysterious Lord,' summarized back then. Only by subduing the monkey of the mind and controlling the horse of the will can you see through the fog of the 'Netherworld,' cross the long road of forgetfulness, and pass the first trial—the trial of asking for directions."

"Asking for directions is asking for directions is asking your own heart."

"Only in this way can one find the Yellow Springs at the end of the River of Oblivion, regain oneself, complete ascension, and be reborn."

"Otherwise, you will get lost in it, and everything will be nothing."

Wang Xi listened attentively, memorizing every word his master said. He immediately cupped his hands in greeting.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master. I understand now."

"Hmm." Song Hui withdrew his golden core, stroked his beard, and nodded.

"Master, what are the second and third trials?"

Wang Xi asked curiously.

"The other two trials are also key to determining the strength of those who ascend."

Song Hui shared his teachings with his disciples without reservation.

"Passing the 'Asking for Directions' is considered as ascending to immortality in the eyes of the world. Once a golden pill is swallowed, one's fate is in one's own hands, not in the hands of heaven. The magical power of an ascendant is vastly different from that of a cultivator."

"At that time, the Golden Elixir will shine with a radiant light."

"The second challenge, 'Looking Homeward Pass,' requires finding the 'Looking Homeward Platform' in the 'Netherworld,' leaving footprints, and then severing the karmic ties of the mortal world."

"At that time, the Golden Core will have two rounds of radiance."

"The third trial, the 'Bathing Trial,' requires covering the entire body with magical power, undergoing the baptism of the Yellow Springs, and being imbued with the 'Netherworld' energy to completely transcend the mortal world."

"At that time, the three wheels of golden elixir will shine brightly, and one will become a 'true immortal'."

Wang Xi recalled the golden elixir that his master had just spat out.

There was only a single radiant glow above.

This indicates that Song Hui only passed the first hurdle, the "Asking for Directions" hurdle, and his cultivation level was at the early stage of ascension.

"Disciple understands."

Wang Xi seemed to be thinking about something.

After explaining the secret of ascension, Song Hui remained silent for a long while.

He suddenly asked again, "Xi Zhi, would you be willing to serve as the abbot of the Mo Jian Zhai?"

"what?"

(End of this chapter)