Yuan's Ascension

Chapter 361: Call Me Old Madman (1)

The figures clad in black armor and red robes swiveled their heads, directing their attention to the source of the voice.

The white-robed youth Xing Jiu, the black-robed elderly man, and the purple-robed elderly man did not hear the voice. However, they followed the gazes, implicitly understanding that another High Immortal from their sect had arrived.

In the blink of an eye, an imperceptible wave swept over them, causing Xing Jiu and the other two Earth Immortals to vanish from their original position and reappear on a desolate mountaintop. Bewildered, they exchanged glances of astonishment.

"What?" Xing Jiu exclaimed.

"This place is approximately 300,000 li from the Star Origin Soil.”

“We were transported with nothing more than a single thought?"

"What level of ability is this?" the purple-robed elderly man murmured in disbelief. Exchanging glances with the other two, he saw that they were equally taken aback.

Though they had yet to reach the level of Tribulation High Immortals, they were still Divided Soul Earth Immortals, beings who could live for a staggering 90,000 years. Their strength was undeniable. Yet, without warning, the trio found themselves transported 300,000 li away.

"Which High Immortal could have done this?"

"The number of individuals who have reached such a level in our sect can be counted on two hands," the elderly man in purple robes remarked. "And to be drawn here by Li Xia, it must be..."

"Sword Immortal Dong Yang! It must be him," the black-robed elderly man exclaimed.

"Sword Immortal Dong Yang?" Xing Jiu, the white-robed youth, turned to the distant treasure land, his eyes shimmering with admiration.

Within the Dragon Star Immortal Sect, Sword Immortal Dong Yang was a living legend. His years of cultivation dated back countless eras, placing him among the oldest of High Immortals within the sect. With each passing day, his strength grew, shattering barriers and ascending to new heights.

He was the mightiest sword immortal the Dragon Star Immortal Sect had ever produced. Across the vast immortal continent, he was the top sword immortal of the current era, killing countless foes with his sword.

"Li Xia's talent is truly extraordinary. At the Golden Core phase, he has already received the treasure’s acknowledgment. On top of that, he is a sword cultivator. Perhaps Sword Immortal Dong Yang will take him in as a direct disciple," the black-robed elderly man chuckled.

"Sword Immortal Dong Yang has never taken in a direct disciple. He has only ever accepted two nominal disciples," the elderly man in purple robes reminded them.

"A direct disciple of Sword Immortal Dong Yang?" Xing Jiu sighed softly, his gaze betraying a hint of jealousy, though he no longer belittled Wu Yuan. Despite his pride, he acknowledged Wu Yuan's superior talent. Back when he was in the Golden Core phase, his talent was far behind Wu Yuan.

However, the path of cultivation is treacherous. Even if he becomes Sword Immortal Dong Yang's disciple, so what? He’s only at the Golden Core phase. Who knows if he’ll encounter some danger and die young? Xing Jiu mused inwardly.

Although he wasn’t too pleased with Wu Yuan, he naturally wouldn’t voice it openly.

"The High Immortal likely moved us away as he doesn’t wish to meet us. Let us return to our residences for now. The veteran elder and the abbot will inform us of any new developments," the black-robed elderly man suggested.

The three departed swiftly.

...

In the space above the Star Origin Soil, Xing Jiu, the black-robed elderly man, and the purple-robed elderly man vanished without a trace.

Then, a figure in white robes materialized soundlessly. With his long hair billowing behind him, he bore the countenance of a noble young master in his thirties, his features as pristine as jade. Yet, the sharp sword intent passively emanating from him sent shivers down the spines of the black-armored and red-robed figures.

He was like a divine blade capable of rending worlds asunder or obliterating them completely if he so wished. Even as Tribulation High Immortals, they found themselves sorely lacking in comparison.

"Abbot," the white-robed figure smiled as he greeted the middle-aged man in red robes with a respectful nod.

"Senior Brother Dong Yang, you have finally arrived," the middle-aged man chuckled.

The newcomer was none other than High Immortal Dong Yang.

"Dong Yang, I address you as ‘Senior Brother’ as a mark of respect," the black-armored figure glared, a hint of annoyance in his tone. "Don’t push your luck. Stop calling me Old Hei’zi all the time."

"Among the High Immortals of our sect, the only one older than me is you," Sword Immortal Dong Yang replied nonchalantly. "If you don’t like me calling you Old Hei’zi, then pray tell, what should I call you?"

"Most refer to me as Old Hei. Given our similar ages, it is fitting," the black-armored figure retorted through gritted teeth. [1]

"I prefer Old Hei’zi," Sword Immortal Dong Yang stated coolly. "Why, do you take issue with that? Either accept it quietly or challenge me to a match."

The black-armored figure found himself at a loss for words.

Challenge him to a match? He had faced off against the white-robed youth hundreds of times before, but the outcome had always been the same – defeat. Moreover, the gap between their strengths only continued to widen with each fight.

“Hmph! Fighting is all you know. Even though you're hundreds of thousands of years old, you still act like a youngster,” the black-armored figure huffed disdainfully.

"My heart remains youthful, just as my sword has yet to rust," Sword Immortal Dong Yang replied casually. "Old Hei’zi, if you can't speak well, then speak less.”

The black-armored figure bristled, preparing to retort.

"Brother Dong Yang, Brother Hei Yuan," The man in red robes finally spoke, a bitter smile on his face. "Aside from the immortal ancestor, you two are the most senior members of our sect. Your bickering has already lasted hundreds of thousands of years, let’s not argue over the same topics again."

"How about we observe Li Xia first?" The man in red robes gestured towards Wu Yuan below.

Strange phenomena were still swirling around Wu Yuan. His body seemed to transform into a star, his aura pulsating vigorously.

"Right! Dong Yang, if my memory serves me right, you should have received Li Xia's profile long ago. This budding young talent should not go unguided. If you are unwilling to take him in, then I will help myself to him,” High Immortal Hei Yuan said.

"Do you possess the necessary qualifications to teach him?" Sword Immortal Dong Yang questioned, eyeing him with a haughty look. "How many Earth Immortals have you produced out of the hundreds of disciples under your tutelage?"

"Of course I am well equipped to teach him," High Immortal Hei Yuan retorted, his gaze steely. "I’ve contemplated the Star Origin Soil for hundreds of thousands of years and am the veteran elder of this cultivation lineage. Mentoring a Golden Core kid is hardly a challenge to me."

"Star Origin Soil? What you’ve comprehended so far is only the profundity of the Land, and by extension the profundity of the Earth," Sword Immortal Dong Yang countered, eyeing Wu Yuan below. "Do you understand what Li Xia has grasped?"

"He’s just inherited a Great Eldritch’s legacy, that’s all. It’s just one of many powerful inheritances within our sect," High Immortal Hei Yuan replied, furrowing his brow. "The immortal codices and law codices are superficial; the true core lies in understanding the Dao."

The man in red robes observed silently from the side. As the abbot, everyone in the sect respected him due to his position. But when it came to the path to immortality, power took precedence.

He understood that the two oldest High Immortals in the sect were fighting over a disciple.

It’s rare for a Golden Core cultivator to attract the attention of Earth Immortals. The man in red robes mused to himself. Yet this Li Xia has several ancient High Immortals vying to be his master.

However, he understood that this was the norm. Such ridiculous prodigies were a precious find. For High Immortals seeking to pass down their inheritance, an opportunity like this was not to be missed.

"Old Hei’zi, after all these years of studying the Star Origin Soil, do you truly believe the Great Eldritch inheritance is so simple?" Dong Yang shook his head. "Why would the immortal ancestor leave it here for millions of years?"

"Li Xia did not only grasp the two Lesser Laws of the Land Dao and Gravity Dao, but the Celestial Body Dao!”

The Celestial Body Dao is one of the cornerstones of the Great Dao of Earth, a Dao that holds unimaginable power. He has already stepped through the initiate threshold of this Dao."

"If he continues on this trajectory, he may one day rival even me," Dong Yang stated calmly.

1. Dong Yang calls him 老黑子, which is equivalent to Old Blackie, while Hei Yuan wants to be called 老黑, Old Black. ☜