Chapter 325 Retreading the Ascension Stone Ladder Entering the Gu-Raising Illusionary Realm Once Again

Nascent Soul cultivators can ride the clouds, reaching heights of ten thousand feet.

At this moment, heaven and earth shrink, and all things are laid out before us!

What I saw filled me with a sense of grandeur! I felt an immense sense of my own vastness, and the immensity of all living beings.

Yu Xian remained calm, gazing at the horizon, no longer showing the same interest in looking down as he had when he was a child.

The direction Hong Shao went was quite obvious: it was towards Ascension Island.

Twenty-eight years later, Yu Xian will set foot on Ascension Island for the second time.

Unlike when he was cultivating his spiritual root to ascend to immortality through Qi Condensation, this time, his fate is uncertain.

Hongshao is determined to investigate You Xiaocao’s matter thoroughly.

The higher a cultivator’s realm, the clearer their thoughts need to be.

Especially for those aspiring to become deities, it’s a battle of Daoist resolve!

Hong Shao needs to resolve her inner conflict and sever her inner demons from the early stages of the Nascent Soul realm.

To avoid the extreme difficulty of severing one’s mental knots after reaching the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage and attempting to break through to the Deity Transformation stage.

But Yu Xian remained calm. Even if Hong Shao eventually found out the truth, so what?

Let her kill or torture me as she pleases; as long as I have a clear conscience, that’s enough.

“Yu Xian.”

White clouds flew southward, and the fierce, incomparably powerful sky gale, strong enough to kill even a Golden Core cultivator in the early stages, was blocked by the red peony and could not get in.

But a voice rang out from Hong Shao, who was standing in front of the cloud with her back to Yu Xian.

“Disciple is here.”

Yu Xian bowed in response.

Tell me in detail about what happened on Ascension Island back then.

Hong Shao’s voice came through, her tone indifferent.

Yu Xian had already recounted this in the main hall of the Alchemy Sect. Apart from the fact that someone else had killed You Xiaocao instead, and that he had killed someone else in return, he told everything else without any concealment.

But now, Hong Shao is asking Yu Xian to tell the story again.

Is this his last chance?

Yu Xian remained calm, his gaze unchanged, showing no sign of panic or confusion.

He simply said, “Then this disciple will explain it again.”

After saying that, he recounted everything he had said in the main hall of the sect once again.

“You mean your fellow disciple, the manager of the Hundred Mining Workshop, whose name is…”

After listening to Yu Xian’s story again, Hong Shao suddenly turned to look at Yu Xian, her brows furrowed slightly, and asked, “Liu Qinghe?”

Yu Xian nodded and said, “That’s right, his name is Liu Qinghe. He was one of the three who successfully reached the summit with me, but he and another person disappeared later. I was afraid and did not enter the hall, so I went down the mountain directly.”

“Liu Qinghe…”

Hong Shao narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly and said softly, “Do you know that the leader of the Blood River Sect is also named Liu Qinghe? According to the timeline, he appeared about a year after you all ascended to immortality. He used his great power to subdue many Nascent Soul cultivators and various forces, eventually forming a loose cultivator alliance to attack the six major immortal sects…”

Yu Xian frowned slightly and looked at Hong Shao, saying, “Does the Sect Master mean that this Liu Qinghe is the same Liu Qinghe? But how could he have gone from a minor Qi Condensation Perfection cultivator to a Nascent Soul Grandmaster in just one year? That’s impossible. Even if he were a reincarnated immortal, he wouldn’t cultivate so quickly.”

“Did you simply feel scared and therefore not enter the palace?”

Hong Shao did not answer. Instead, she looked at Yu Xian with a deep gaze and asked, “Has there been any other change? Is that why you dare not enter, or, are you on guard?”

Yu Xian looked at Hong Shao, and Hong Shao looked at Yu Xian.

After a moment, Yu Xian said slowly, “Yes, it was my mother who warned me, so I did not go in and was lucky to survive.”

“Your mother?”

Hong Shao looked surprised. Could it be that Yu Xian’s mother was also a cultivator?

“Not my biological mother, but my adoptive mother,”

Yu Xian calmly said, “My adoptive mother was an elm tree that protected the village. Later, she was harmed by evil cultivators. It was she who opened up my roots and taught me basic cultivation techniques. It was also she who left me treasures to help me see through illusions, which is why I did not enter the palace and was harmed by evil cultivators.”

After saying that, Yu Xian looked calmly at Hong Shao and said, “Sect Master, do you want to see the treasure left to me by my adoptive mother?”

Hong Shao looked into Yu Xian’s eyes, which were completely calm, but within that calmness lay countless turbulent waves!

“I am very pleased that you told me all this secret.”

After a moment, Hong Shao suddenly smiled, turned to look at the horizon, and sighed, “I have no intention of investigating your secrets. The treasures left to you by your adoptive mother belong only to you. I neither want them nor will I look at them.”

“Thank you, Sect Master.”

Yu Xian bowed respectfully to Hong Shao, his gaze filled with reverence and his expression with melancholy.

“You were saved by the treasure left by your adoptive mother, but the other two were not so lucky and were inevitably lured into the palace.”

Hong Shao returned to the main topic and said slowly, “Let’s leave that person aside for now and talk about Liu Qinghe. Perhaps he has been possessed.”

“Possession?”

Yu Xian frowned. He was well-versed in the concept of possession, having read extensively.

Once a cultivator’s cultivation reaches the Nascent Soul stage, they gain the ability to possess another’s body.

So-called possession is when a Nascent Soul cultivator or a higher-level expert uses their Nascent Soul, Primordial Spirit, or thoughts to destroy another person’s soul and divine sense, and then take over that person’s body to start cultivating anew.

As for those below the Nascent Soul stage, such as Golden Core, Foundation Establishment, and Qi Condensation, they don’t even have the ability to seize another’s body.

Possession is the exchange of souls, the construction of a new altar, and the merging of spirit and body!

Such an incredibly complex and mysterious matter is beyond the capabilities of a low-level cultivator.

Possession is not as simple as transferring one’s own soul out, entering another person’s sea of ​​consciousness, and then destroying that person’s soul! If the soul and the divinely bestowed physical body are incompatible, they cannot survive for long; they will inevitably rot away and the soul will perish!

As mentioned earlier, while possession can prolong life, it cannot increase lifespan.

A Nascent Soul expert, severely injured and with his physical body in ruins, had no choice but to seize another body. Although this would save his life, his lifespan would still be ten thousand years. There was no possibility of him being reborn through possession and living on indefinitely.

Moreover, the body that was possessed was completely different from the body of the original owner, and the spiritual compatibility was extremely poor!

Once you choose to possess someone’s body, you’ve essentially cut off your path forward!

It’s not that there’s no other way, but there’s absolutely no other option. No strong person would give up their own physical body to possess someone else’s.

So, possession sounds terrifying, but in reality, it’s not very common; it’s even rarer than breaking through from the Golden Core stage to the Nascent Soul stage.

Hong Shao said slowly, “The origin of Ascension Island is hard to trace. It seems that a Nascent Soul expert accidentally discovered this island a thousand years ago. After investigation, he found that it had the ability to improve the root bones of Qi Condensation cultivators, which is called Ascension. That’s why the six major immortal sects came to investigate and obtained the Ascension Token. Those who can activate the Ascension Token can obtain the opportunity to ascend to the island and become immortal.”

“But this opportunity to ascend to immortality was indeed available to the first few batches of disciples, with almost no casualties, and they were all able to ascend successfully. However, as time went on, the number of casualties increased, and the number of those who successfully ascended became fewer and fewer. Until you, the last batch, were the only lucky one who survived, which was almost equivalent to the entire group being wiped out!”

Hong Shao said in a deep voice, “I suspect this is a conspiracy, a conspiracy that has lasted for over a thousand years, with the aim of sending various disciples in to serve as nourishment, so that ‘Liu Qinghe’ can successfully possess and be reborn!”

Yu Xian frowned as he recalled the situation.

The cold voice rang out from the sky, and everyone was raising Gu and fighting each other because of that voice!

In the end, only three remained, and all three were to be thrown into the palace! Not a single one was spared!

If it weren’t for the protection of the Yusheng Jade Pendant, he would probably be dead already.

What kind of opportunity is this? It’s a trap!

What Hong Shao said must be the truth!

“The sect leader’s guess is certainly correct, but if the sect leader has such a guess, and that ‘Liu Qinghe’ has already possessed and been reborn, and even established the Blood River Sect, what is the point of you going to Ascension Island now?”

Thinking of this, Yu Xian looked at the figure in front of him and asked with a puzzled expression.

“I’m going to investigate his background.”

Hong Shao calmly said, “Who is he? Why was he trapped on Shengxian Island for so many years? And who trapped him there? I want to find out the truth so that I can find his weakness.”

“It would be difficult to explore Ascension Island. The best course of action would be for the Sect Master to invite a few more Supreme Elders along.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Xian couldn’t help but say, “If Hong Shao has any suspicions, she should invite a few fellow Daoists to come together.”

Now that she has just entered the Nascent Soul stage and her position is not yet stable, it is truly unwise for her to come alone to explore Ascension Island.

As for myself…

Based on his own abilities, he certainly doesn’t qualify as a human being.

Saying she’s all alone is too kind; I can’t help her at all, and I’m just a burden to her!

“Too many people are actually not good.”

Hong Shao calmly shook her head and said, “There are many Blood River Cult spies within the Haotian Sect, and there might even be Nascent Soul experts! If I send more people to Ascension Island, I will definitely be discovered. Now that I’m leaving seclusion, these spies haven’t even realized what I’m going to do yet.”

“Oh? It was my oversight.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Xian’s expression shifted, and he immediately nodded.

If there are spies within the sect, then their sudden departure, leaving everyone bewildered, is indeed the best solution.

Otherwise, if the Blood River Sect finds out in advance, this trip will be a suicide mission.

Moreover, the news of Hong Shao becoming a Nascent Soul cultivator probably hasn’t reached the Blood River Sect yet. She left too hastily and too quickly, giving the Blood River Sect’s spies no time to react or relay the information.

“in addition……”

After a moment of contemplation, Hong Shao fell silent and began to ride the clouds southward.

Yu Xian naturally heard this other voice.

Although he didn’t know what came next, he could roughly guess that it was…

in addition……

Investigate the cause of You Xiaocao’s death…

Then let’s investigate.

I envy Yu Xian, and I have a clear conscience.

The reason Yu Xian hasn’t spoken up or told you the truth isn’t because he’s afraid of dying, but because he’s worried that this matter will damage his relationship and create an irreparable rift between him, You Xiaohua, and Hongshao.

This is also Yu Xian’s “indecisiveness”.

He truly considered Hong Shao and You Xiaohua as his own people!

But if Hongshao really finds out the truth.

In short, I’ll accept whatever punishment you give me.

Watching Hongshao’s retreating figure, Yu Xian felt calm. He exhaled, sat cross-legged, and instead of cultivating, he focused on recovering from his fatigue.

After four years of seclusion, cultivating, meditating, and refining elixirs, he was already mentally exhausted. He had just planned to have a few drinks with Hua Yuandu to rest when he was again drawn to the matter of Hong Shao forming her nascent soul. Worried, his mind became tense again.

Only now can I finally find some peace and quiet and close my eyes to rest.

Although Hong Shao was standing, she closed her eyes and kept her aura contained. The fierce wind was like a breeze to her, and she was doing her best to consolidate her nascent soul.

By the time it takes to travel to Ascension Island, her Nascent Soul realm should be completely stable.

They remained silent the entire way.

The speed of a Nascent Soul cultivator is very fast. Even though Hong Shao did not deliberately speed up, but instead deliberately slowed down to give herself some time to stabilize her Nascent Soul, it was still more than twice as fast as when she was at the Great Perfection of the Golden Core stage.

It took a whole day for Hong Shao to travel from the Little Kunlun Mountains in the north to the southern sea.

When Yu Xian was in the Baiyun Sect, he was taken by Song Xingtian, and it took them a whole day to get to the South China Sea.

However, Baiyun Sect is different from Xiaokunlun Mountain. Baiyun Sect is very close to the South China Sea, while Xiaokunlun Mountain is extremely far from the South China Sea.

Therefore, Hong Shao and Song Xingtian arrived at the same time.

The waves of the South China Sea remain unchanged, and the past twenty-odd years seem like a fleeting moment in comparison.

The ocean may turn into mulberry fields, but that’s an unimaginable span of time.

Upon reaching the sea, Hong Shao gently touched the white clouds with her hand, causing them to slow down and rapidly descend to a thousand feet before continuing to move forward at a constant speed.

Hong Shao from Ascension Island had come several times, always bringing disciples from Medicine King Valley to ascend to immortality. Now, she was familiar with the place.

In just half a day, a tiny black dot appeared in the vast ocean ahead, which then grew larger and larger until it transformed into a huge island, namely Ascension Island.

Twenty-eight years later, Ascension Island looked unchanged, but Yu Xian frowned slightly after just one glance.

When he first came to Shengxian Island, it was teeming with countless birds and beasts, and seabirds circled overhead, a place teeming with life.

But now, although the plants and trees on Ascension Island remain, there is not a trace of life left!

All living beings with flesh and blood on the entire Ascension Island vanished without a trace!

Because of this terrifying aura of death, no seabirds within a radius of hundreds of miles dared to approach!

It seems that a terrifying and monstrous child has been conceived on the island!

“really……”

Hong Shao frowned slightly, squinted at the Ascension Island below, and muttered to herself, “Over the past thousand years, the six major sects have sent more than a hundred groups of Qi Condensation disciples to ascend to immortality, totaling no less than ten thousand people. If we count carefully, at least four thousand of them have died among them, becoming the flesh and blood of sacrifice.”

Yu Xian did not reply, his expression remaining solemn.

As Hongshao spoke, she descended on a cloud and landed on the island. The white clouds dispersed, and the two stood on the beach, gazing at the incredibly quiet dense forest in front of them, where not even mosquitoes or rodents existed!

“Where does the sect leader intend to begin his investigation?”

Looking at the dense forest ahead, Yu Xian stood behind Hong Shao and finally asked a question.

Hong Shao said, “No rush, let me first use my divine sense to cover the island and investigate it.”

Hong Shao entered the Nascent Soul stage, and her divine sense increased dramatically. Although she had not yet formed a divine consciousness, it was still extremely useful, naturally able to cover this island, which was over a hundred miles in size.

If danger is detected by using divine sense, it can be sensed quickly.

Yu Xian nodded and stood with his hands clasped.

Hong Shao closed her eyes slightly, and a burst of energy suddenly emanated from her, quickly enveloping the entire Ascension Island in a fan shape!

Under that terrifying aura and divine sense, Yu Xian felt as if everything about him had been seen through, and he was completely naked in front of Hong Shao, with nowhere to hide!

However, this divine sense had no interest in paying attention to him. It simply spread out, scanning all directions and checking for any possible dangers, until it completely enveloped the entire Ascension Island.

An incense stick’s time passed, and Hong Shao opened her eyes and said, “It is indeed in the center.”

Everything was normal except for the central Ascension Mountain Peak, which was also the location of the Ascension Ladder, which Hong Shao could not see through with her divine sense.

“Let’s go.” Hong Shao whispered, took a step in mid-air, and quickly moved forward.

Yu Xian didn’t waste any words and followed immediately.

Soon the two traveled dozens of miles and arrived at the Ascension Mountain Peak and the familiar Ascension Steps.

Looking at the towering Ascension Ladder that leads straight to the mountain peak, Yu Xian’s eyes flickered.

It was here that his physical body was forged into something incredibly powerful.

It was here that he rose from a low-grade wood spirit root to a high-grade wood spirit root, truly becoming qualified to compete with geniuses of top-grade, dual, triple, quadruple, and even five spirit roots.

Otherwise, with only a low-grade wood spirit root, his Qi Sea would be no more than twenty feet long. In terms of magic power alone, he would not be a match for those geniuses with abundant talent. How could he possibly compete with them?

“The Ladder to Ascension”.

Hong Shao remained expressionless, a cold smile playing on her lips, and said slowly, “Let’s go up.”

“Lord Master!”

Seeing that Hongshao was really about to step up the mountain, Yu Xian was startled and hurriedly said, “I came here to ascend to immortality many years ago and I know that without the Ascension Token, whoever enters the Ascension Ladder will die! Sect Master, please don’t take the risk!”

Hong Shao turned to look at Yu Xian and said indifferently, “Ascension Token? Who created the Ascension Token? Wasn’t it created by this ‘Liu Qinghe’? This demon spent a lot of effort to create the Ascension Token in order to find cultivators whose bloodline was compatible with his, but it was just to send those whose bloodline was compatible with his to their deaths.”

Having said that, Hong Shao looked at the Ascension Ladder and said slowly, “As for who dies after entering, even Nascent Soul experts are no exception? That’s just bluffing. I don’t believe it at all! Besides, he’s already gone, leaving only the formation behind. What can he do to me? Let’s go!”

What could Yu Xian do after hearing what Hong Shao said?

He could only manage a bitter smile, then his gaze became calm. If Hong Shao dared to go forward, he would follow suit!

He immediately stepped onto the Ascension Ladder and went up, and sure enough, there was no danger!

The Ascension Ladder still possessed immense gravity, but compared to Yu Xian’s current cultivation at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment and late-stage Lesser Core Formation, it was insignificant.

This thing only has a strong effect on Qi Condensation cultivators.

As for the red peony, it strolled leisurely, as if entering a deserted place, and walked up the mountain with unparalleled grace.

However, she wasn’t moving very fast, and it was clear that she wasn’t as relaxed and indifferent as she claimed.

She remained vigilant, sensing a great deal with each step she took, including the entire formation. If any danger arose, she would immediately unleash an extremely terrifying Nascent Soul power!

She didn’t know the origin of this nameless formation, but with her cultivation level, she could sense that it was an extremely powerful illusion, mixed with formations for body tempering, Dao cultivation, and so on. However, at this moment, the formation was unattended.

As for the innate talent for ascension to immortality?

That involves the rules of the Nascent Soul stage. Only Nascent Soul experts can open up and upgrade the root bones of others, but the price required is hard to fathom.

It can damage one’s cultivation level and one’s very essence.

Some of these sacrifices come at the cost of someone else’s lifeblood and physical essence.

This grand formation might be designed to deplete the essence, blood, and bones of others to grant one or more people the illusion of ascension to immortality. In reality, it’s all just resources provided by the six major immortal sects themselves!

Yu Xian’s gaze was calm; at this moment, the pressure of the great formation no longer had any tempering effect on his physical body.

Hong Shao walked several dozen steps ahead of him, then suddenly vanished without a trace.

Yu Xian was immediately startled, and his brows furrowed!

The red peony has disappeared!

Has she… has she entered the mirror image of Ascension Island?!

But I haven’t entered yet!

Now that his physical body is under minimal pressure and his cultivation is under no pressure at all, how could he easily enter?

With his brows furrowed, Yu Xian looked up at the mountain peak, his gaze turning cold, and his muscles suddenly bulged!

boom!

The next moment, he was like a streak of light, rushing madly from the foot of the mountain to the summit!

Either enter the illusion yourself and join Hong Shao!

Alternatively, he would rush all the way to the top of the mountain to see what the main hall was like, and then do everything he could to destroy it!

With his blood and energy surging, Yu Xian’s physical body instantly pushed to its limit!

On a mountain peak that was only a little over two thousand feet high, he rushed forward like a streak of blood, covering a distance of 1,500 feet in just three breaths!

boom!

With a muffled thud, he suddenly burst forward and appeared on a vast beach!

He entered the illusion of Ascension Island for the second time!