Chapter 73
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Chapter 73
The first time Gong Wu laid eyes on the Immortal Ascension was during a carriage ride past Duan Qin Pass. Hu Fengyu invited her to step out and take a look.
At the mountain’s peak, amidst the dense apricot grove, her gaze pierced through the vast sky to the radiant brilliance at the horizon.
Like the sun and moon casting their luminous glow, resembling a fusion of jade and gold, at the northernmost edge of the world, the Celestial Stairs sloped upward.
This was the sole path for mortals to reach the heavenly realm. If one could ascend to the thirty-sixth layer of heaven, they would be granted an official title and transformed into an immortal.
Even a distant glimpse stirred her heart, evoking boundless emotions and yearning.
Gong Wu never imagined they would take flight so swiftly and embark on the path to immortality.
She always felt it was too soon; she was still too young. Besides, given her innate potential, even if her senior brother and master ascended, she might wait for centuries, likely not enduring long enough before succumbing to age.
Earlier, when Kan Jixuan saw Gong Wu’s resolve, she informed those around her of the plan.
Among the few immortals in Moonfire Valley, two would accompany her, while Kan Jixuan would remain at the base of the steps, watching her ascend step by step toward her potential obliteration.
Over the past decade, Yan Fangji had risen to the Jade Balance Realm, and with another century or two of cultivation, he could aspire to ascend.
He never anticipated that Little Wu would take such a resolute step for this reason.
The advantages were clear.
Ascending to immortality in her teenage years would likely be an unprecedented feat in history.
She possessed a more expansive and vibrant spiritual energy than most, with greater abilities to traverse heaven and earth, yet she had also faced death more times than others.
It was akin to carving raw jade into a refined ornament; it required countless cuts and polishes to reveal its final form.
In the end, they left Hua Tingxiao to oversee the valley’s affairs while Old Celestial Ancestor, Tu Xuixin, and Yan Fangji accompanied them.
As they neared the north, the clear golden outline grew increasingly vivid.
While evading the deadly tribulation, Gong Wu remained concealed in the sedan, entering the fox den without ever glimpsing the exterior of Rainbow Ridge.
Only now, as she drew closer, was she struck silent, her breath catching for a brief moment.
The name “Rainbow Ridge” evoked images of solitary, majestic mountains, home to hundreds of tombs and temples.
Yet, at first glance, the place was awash with vibrant mountain flowers, pale pink peach blossoms spreading across the hills like delicate, colorful clouds descending to the earth.
“So this is… Rainbow Ridge? It’s so beautiful?”
Most of the mountains she had seen were cloaked in green, but this was her first encounter with such a vast expanse of pink peach blossoms.
“Hu Fengyu’s nature isn’t one for solitude,” Tu Xuixin murmured. “Even if it wasn’t like this before, with him arranging for his descendants to plant more flowers and fruit, it would inevitably become this way.”
The Old Celestial Ancestor shot him a disapproving look.
“It’s Senior Hu, Senior Hu,” Tu Xuixin quickly corrected himself.
The group approached the base of the Thousand Layer Cloud Stairs, where the final step stood neither too high nor too low, positioned roughly at the height of a mortal’s head.
Below the stairs stretched a vast expanse of lush wilderness, transformed into a circular courtyard by cultivators who had cleared the path and erected a sheltering roof to shield from the rain.
Though they had chosen an auspicious day to visit Rainbow Ridge, the circular courtyard was occupied by over a dozen weary cultivators, indifferent to the newcomers, their eyes closed as they softly chanted scriptures.
“A hundred years ago, when I traveled here, I saw people gathered here,” Tu Xuixin explained to Gong Wu. “Cultivation is a long and arduous journey. One must renounce greed and anger, sever worldly desires, purify the heart, and deeply understand the scriptures. Most people lack the patience to endure, so some come together, gazing at the Cloud Stairs to encourage one another, much like ‘hoping for plums to quench thirst.’”
Gong Wu happened to have some silver coins with her, which she placed beside the ragged-robed cultivators, whispering her blessings.
Everyone needs a glimmer of hope.
Some hope for immortality, while others aspire to become officials or divine beings.
She only wished for her family to reunite, to be with every loved one forever.
As for Ji Yang’s Path of Emotionless, or the many disappointments the future might hold, she had already accepted them with calm resolve, without demanding too much.
“You still came,” a low voice said behind her.
Hu Fengyu, blending into the crowd, still had his red hair cascading over his shoulders, draped in a fox fur coat.
Gong Wu nodded.
“Do you truly care for him this much?” Hu Fengyu held no particular feelings for her, but seeing Gong Wu determined to ascend the Immortal Ascension, he couldn’t help but ask, “Ji Yang is a man of the Path of Emotionless; he once treated you like a sister. How can you go to such lengths for him?”
Tu Xuixin pressed his lips together and sighed softly.
Gong Wu looked at Hu Fengyu and shook her head.
“I don’t owe you an explanation.”
Because he would endure the depths of the underworld for me. I must save him.
Because he treated me better than anyone else when I was still ignorant of the ways of magic.
Because during the years my master was in seclusion, it was just him and me, relying on each other.
Because he had saved me countless times, guiding me through the darkness.
A flood of memories surged through her mind, and her nose tingled with emotion. She smiled, saying nothing more.
“The auspicious time has come,” Yan Fangji said, looking at her. “My girl, it’s time to go.”
He stood beside Kan Jixuan and added, “Your father is here, watching over you.”
Kan Jixuan waved her hand. “Your godmother is here too.”
Gong Wu chuckled softly and ascended the first step of the Thousand Layer Cloud Stairs alongside her Master Ancestor and master.
At that moment, a weary cultivator opened his eyes, his expression filled with astonishment.
Rainbow Ridge often saw dispersing immortals coming and going, but how could a little girl, who had not yet achieved enlightenment, dare to walk the Celestial Stairs barefoot?
Was she courting death?! Could those two immortals truly protect her?!
Though the world called it the Thousand Layer Cloud Stairs, as Gong Wu lightly stepped onto it, she realized this step was a layer of light.
Her physical body, of course, could not stand on the light, but her spiritual body was able to step lightly and steadily.
“This step can only be taken after reaching the Opening Sun Realm,” Tu Xuixin said with a smile. “After I entered the Opening Sun Realm, I didn’t come here for years to step on it.”
Hao Chengzi sighed, “It’s a blessing that you’re still alive.”
The two of them held her hand and continued upward.
The second step required the Cultivation of the Jade Balance Realm.
From the third step onward, it began to consume her spiritual energy.
Ordinary cultivators would realize their lack of talent by the third step and could not withstand this trial, which felt akin to crossing tribulations.
When Gong Wu stepped onto it, she felt her spiritual energy being rapidly drained.
Yet, as her feet stood on the Celestial Stairs, she could also absorb the immortal aura between the steps, gaining more than she lost.
Tu Xuixin worried about Little Wu with each step. Seeing her move slowly, he gently urged, “Are you feeling unwell?”
“Little Wu, we don’t have to rush. How about we go back today and rest? We can plan carefully later.”
Hao Chengzi seemed to sense something, furrowing his brow and deep in thought.
Below in the high sky, over a dozen cultivators stared in shock at this scene.
If she continued upward, she would turn to ash! Could there truly be such a fearless girl?!
Gong Wu took a few deep breaths, steeling herself to endure unbearable pain.
She stepped onto the fourth step, then the fifth.
Hao Chengzi and Tu Xuixin both wore worried expressions, supporting her as she ascended slowly.
Starting from the tenth step, the slight surplus turned into a deficit.
Each layer of the Celestial Stairs was breaking down her physical body, and there was a faint danger of her Golden Core collapsing.
Gong Wu understood that these steps were formed from an overabundance of immortal aura.
The destruction of her physical body was not terrifying, but if her spiritual body could not be preserved, it would mean the end for a cultivator.
She steadied her breath and continued walking until she reached the twenty-first step.
Suddenly, she collapsed to her knees, unable to support her body any longer, her consciousness fading away in an instant.
Tu Xuixin quickly caught her, urgently saying, “If you can’t hold on, we must go back! Little Wu, let’s return!”
Gong Wu opened her eyes, feeling somewhat dazed.
Hao Chengzi immediately said, “You just died.”
Gong Wu echoed, “I died?”
Tu Xuixin was stunned. “Ah?”
Was it that quick?
Hao Chengzi, with his keen eyesight, witnessed his disciple’s soul detach and then reform, all within a fleeting moment.
“The immortal aura here is dense, so your recovery is naturally swifter than usual,” the elder gently tapped Little Wu’s shoulder. “Moreover, you have ascended a level.”
She had been seeking death earlier, yet everything went smoothly, and she never intended to break through a level properly.
Just a moment of confusion, and the radiant light around her shattered the restraints, transforming into a transparent immortal aura that enveloped her.
Tu Xuixin stared in amazement.
“Just like that, you can do it?”
“Just like that,” Hao Chengzi said with emotion. “When I ascended from Jade Balance to Heavenly Authority, it took me nearly a hundred years.”
“Master, that’s impressive!”
As she took steps forward again, Gong Wu clearly felt her heart become much calmer, without the fear of being suddenly drained away at any moment.
She took deep breaths and walked upward, her steps gradually becoming lighter.
The higher she climbed, the less she could see the people below.
“Don’t look back,” Hao Chengzi said softly. “Just remember, they are all watching over you. Keep moving forward, Little Wu, don’t look back.”
Tu Xuixin stayed silent, holding her hand tightly.
During this time, after a few moments of daze, each time she lost focus, her spiritual energy condensed even tighter, and her steps became steadier.
Upon reaching the ninety-ninth step, an immortal maiden descended gracefully and softly reminded them.
“Two dispersing immortals, please stop here or ascend to the Heavenly Gate to wait.”
“From the ninety-ninth to the one thousandth layer of the Thousand Layer Cloud Stairs, she must go alone.”
Gong Wu initially thought she was crying, but when she wiped her eyes, she realized it was blood flowing from her seven orifices.
Her physical body could no longer remain; it had to shed.
She smiled at her master and Master Ancestor.
“See you later, wait for me as I climb up step by step.”
Tu Xuixin was reluctant to leave, glancing back repeatedly, saying earnestly, “You must take care of yourself.”
The immortal maiden ushered them away, leaving Gong Wu alone among the endless long clouds.
She could not see the fields and mountains below, nor the magnificent palaces high above.
Before her were the long steps like morning light and fluffy clouds like cotton.
It felt as if she were the last person in the world.
She stood still for a moment, quietly contemplating.
Brother, how did you endure those ten years guarding the demon lair?
Did the endless silence truly not drive you mad?
The girl closed her eyes, silently wiping her blood clean, and walked toward the hundredth threshold.
At the moment her physical body ascended, it turned to dust, carried away by the long wind.
Yet her divine form remained calm, a smile playing in her eyes.
The long steps seemed endless, stretching on as if she were walking out of a wintry landscape blanketed in white.
The clouds were icy, and the wind was cold.
She gradually forgot many thoughts, focusing solely on stepping forward to reach High Up.
Until, without realizing it, the end of the path appeared before her, along with Tu Xuixin’s tear-streaked face.
Her usually disheveled master opened his arms and shouted toward her with all his might.
“Little Wu—”
“Come here—”
“Master wants a hug!!”
