Piercing through the sea of clouds and mist, the flying boat finally arrived at the venue for this Ascendance Gathering—the “Cloud Mist Immortal Terrace,” situated in the Central Domain at the boundary of the four sects.
Suspended tens of thousands of zhang in the high heavens, the immortal terrace was enveloped in swirling mist and bathed in myriad radiant beams of iridescent light. Numerous flying boats and magical treasures already hovered there, their multicolored streaks of light tearing across the sky in a breathtaking spectacle.
What first drew the eye was a group of cultivators to the west, dressed in black martial robes, bearing ancient swords either across their backs or at their waists.
At their head was a young girl clad in a red-and-black robe, her ink-black hair cascading like a waterfall around a charming, delicate face.
She had been smiling as she watched the disciples from the other sects and manors, but the moment Divine Might Manor’s flying boat drew near, her crimson pupils swept coldly over it. Her gaze paused on Su Yi for an instant, flashing with a sudden chill.
[Character: Murong Yue (Five Swords Minor Accomplishment)]
[Realm: Foundation Establishment Mid Stage]
[Grade: A]
[Potential: SSS]
[Identity: One of the personal disciples of Ancient Sword Mountain in the Western Domain. Early-game companion to the female lead. In the late game, she sacrificed her entire cultivation to transform into a mountain of swords to resist the Demon race, forming the Fallen Sword Peak.]
‘Fallen Sword Peak... That’s the late-version map near the very end of the game, isn’t it?’ Su Yi thought, stroking his chin. When he had charged into their mountain back then, he hadn’t had the authorization to view character profiles, so he hadn’t known her background.
As it turned out, this little girl who had run home crying to her older sister after being thrashed by him was actually one of the main supporting characters.
When he had first barged into Ancient Sword Mountain, he had only been thinking about smurfing. Who would have guessed he had ended up smurfing on a baby shark that hadn’t even grown up yet?
Then again, even though he had only cared about pulling characters when playing the game, he remembered that Murong Yue was one of those benchwarmers whose kit was completely sabotaged by the developers because too much of her budget went into her looks.
Even though her controls were buttery smooth, playing such a weak character was pure torture, so Su Yi hadn’t stuck with her for long.
“I trust you have been well, Young Manor Lord Su. Yue’er brought more than enough spirit stones today. I wonder how many Young Manor Lord Su will be able to win off me this time?” Just as the flying boat drifted past, Murong Yue suddenly spoke with a smile. Spiritual energy surged covertly, forcing the flying boat to a dead halt.
Back then, she had been a naive little girl stepping down from the mountain with the spirit stones she had painstakingly saved, only to run into this bastard setting up a booth for sword duels.
Every single time, she had fallen short by just a hair. Every time she lost, he would string her along with encouraging words and gentle comfort like some doting older brother, puffing her up until she truly believed she could win. Only after she lost her entire life savings did he reveal his Foundation Establishment cultivation. To make matters worse, after winning, he mocked her mercilessly, showing none of his prior tenderness, infuriating her until she ran home crying to her older sister.
‘Bullying the weak—shameless scoundrel.’ As she recalled that day, the humiliation and indignation from her childhood surged within her once more.
Why would someone at Foundation Establishment care about the pocket change of a Qi Condensation junior? She had realized back then that this guy had targeted her on purpose just to mess with her and rile her up.
As for now, who was at Foundation Establishment, and who was at Qi Condensation? At the thought, the corners of Murong Yue’s lips curled into a smirk.
Watching the flying boat she had brought to a stop, Murong Yue flicked her delicate hand and tapped her foot, preparing to step aboard. But suddenly sensing a wave of pressure, she twisted her slender waist and stepped back.
“Senior Sister Murong, my Senior Brother and I have only just arrived after piloting the flying boat. Our spiritual power is depleted and our breath is unsettled. Please grant us some time to rest; afterward, Gongsun Lin will certainly come to seek your guidance.”
Watching Gongsun Lin step out of the flying boat, Murong Yue’s brows furrowed. She didn’t want to waste her energy on someone else, especially when this girl’s strength was clearly not inferior to her own.
Yet before Gongsun Lin’s voice fully faded, another clear voice rang out from the north: “Fellow Daoist Gongsun speaks the truth. Junior Sister Murong, the Ascendance Gathering has not even officially begun. What need is there to rush?”
A young man clad in green robes and wearing a scholar’s headscarf came treading on clouds, gently fanning a white jade folding fan, looking suave and cultured. At his waist hung a Taiji twin-fish jade pendant—the distinct insignia of a Return to Origin Sect disciple.
[Character: Shang Shuqing (Return to Origin Direct Disciple)]
[Realm: Foundation Establishment Late Stage]
[Grade: A+]
[Potential: SSS]
[Identity: Personal disciple to an Elder of the Return to Origin Sect in the Northern Domain. Proficient in formations and the Dao of harmony; seemingly gentle, but harbors hidden depths.]
Hm?
Hearing that familiar name, Su Yi turned his gaze toward the man. For no other reason than that he was looking at an absolute top-tier overpowered monster.
Shang Shuqing. Although this game was adapted from a female-oriented novel, its intricate combat mechanics and the complete lack of reciprocal romance between the female leads and male characters meant the developers didn’t push forced pairings. Without any ships to sail, the game ended up attracting more male players than female players. Consequently, several gorgeous female characters had their kits deliberately poisoned with awful mechanics, while male characters were blessed with generous kits.
Well, the developers had to make a living—if a character wasn’t meta, who would pull for them?
Shang Shuqing could both deal damage and heal, with massive area-of-effect formations to boot. He was a character most players kept using well into the late game.
Landing between the two parties, Shang Shuqing first bowed with clasped hands to Murong Yue, then turned to Gongsun Lin with a gentle smile. “Junior Sister Murong possesses a lucid sword heart, so it is only natural for her to be stirred upon seeing an old ‘acquaintance.’ I hope Fellow Daoist Gongsun can forgive her.”
He made a point to pause slightly on the word “acquaintance,” snapping his folding fan shut before continuing, “However, Fellow Daoist Gongsun is entirely correct. Having traveled a long distance, your spiritual power has not yet recovered, and a spar at this moment would indeed be unfair.”
Murong Yue gave a cold snort, sword intent swirling in her crimson pupils, yet she did not argue. Though she was straightforward by nature, she knew Shang Shuqing enjoyed high prestige among the younger generation of the four great sects, and the Return to Origin Sect was widely acknowledged as the foremost of the four. His intervention was not something she could easily brush aside.
“However...”
Shang Shuqing’s tone shifted, a barely perceptible trace of battle intent flashing across his eyes. “I have long heard that Divine Might Manor’s lightning arts are unmatched in this era, hailed as the pinnacle of yang and rigidity. Since we chance to meet today, I wonder if Fellow Daoist Gongsun would do me the honor of finding a suitable time later to spar with me?”
He smiled faintly, adding, “As for the old ties between Junior Sister Murong and Young Manor Lord Su... wouldn’t it be even better to settle them together when that opportunity arrives?”
His words were watertight, saving face for Gongsun Lin while providing Murong Yue an out, and finally seizing the momentum to issue his own challenge. He seemed to agree with Gongsun Lin, but in truth, he was siding with Murong Yue.
Murong Yue immediately caught Shang Shuqing’s intent, that cold smirk returning to her lips. “Senior Brother Shang is right; I was too impatient.” Her gaze swept across Su Yi once more. “Young Manor Lord Su, let us see where the truth lies at the gathering. I hope this time... you brought enough spirit stones.”
The last sentence was spoken almost through gritted teeth, making it obvious that her resentment from having her savings swindled away in her childhood had yet to dissipate.
Shang Shuqing looked smilingly at Gongsun Lin, tapping his folding fan against his palm. “What does Fellow Daoist Gongsun think? It is merely an ordinary spar, stopping before any harm is done.”
Gongsun Lin parted her lips, just about to take on the invitations of both single-handedly, when the southern horizon was illuminated by a dazzling streak of radiant light.
A group composed almost entirely of female cultivators arrived gracefully atop a giant luan bird. The disciples brimmed with vibrant spiritual energy; it was the contingent from the Southern Domain’s Perching Phoenix Pavilion.
The moment the disciples of Perching Phoenix Pavilion appeared, they drew countless eyes.
Among them, a female cultivator with snow-white hair and eyes as bright and resplendent as the golden sun let her gaze wander, smiling brilliantly. Yet the instant she laid eyes on Su Yi, her smile froze slightly before softening into a look mixed with mild reproach and amusement.
[Character: Ming Xi (Heavenly Phoenix Blood)]
[Realm: Foundation Establishment Late Stage]
[Grade: S]
[Potential: SSS]
Gongsun Lin drew a soft breath, her tone tinged with helplessness and an air of “I knew it”: “The Phoenix Maiden of Perching Phoenix Pavilion in the Southern Abode, Ming Xi... Senior Brother, if I recall correctly, didn’t you steal the ‘Seven-Colored Rainbow Phoenix Stamen’ that she painstakingly cultivated back then?”
Hearing this, Su Yi felt a bit awkward and chuckled sheepishly. “It wasn’t stolen; she gave it to me! Besides, didn’t that flower end up in your stomach? How did it taste? Eating it grants immunity to all poisons, you know.”
Gongsun Lin pressed a hand to her forehead. Seeing the four factions gathered together, every single one having been “visited” by this Senior Brother beside her, she could only feel that this Ascendance Gathering was doomed to have no peace.
“My, how lively. Young Manor Lord Su, wherever you go is bound to never be dull. Just now, I seemed to hear a few people who weren’t very friendly toward you.”
Arriving even faster than her words was the fragrant scent wafting from the tips of Ming Xi’s hair. Both of their golden eyes met, making for quite the striking pair.
Though the airy voice sounded gentle, it made Gongsun Lin shudder—Ming Xi had closed the distance before she could even react!
Likewise, Murong Yue and Shang Shuqing both looked solemn. That single step was enough to make it crystal clear to them: Ming Xi was undeniably the strongest person here!
“Now that we’re all here, let’s set unpleasant matters aside for now. There are still plenty of people waiting to ‘leap through the dragon gate.’”
After meeting his gaze for a moment, Ming Xi turned her head to look toward the Cloud Mist Immortal Terrace, breezily steering the conversation away.
“True enough. This Ascendance Gathering isn’t just for our four great sects; other sects are waiting to pick fresh blood as well. We mustn’t delay serious business.”
Shang Shuqing seized the opportunity to smooth things over, taking the lead and naturally drifting toward the immortal terrace on clouds.
Murong Yue, however, was not so easily dismissed. She piloted her sword, following close behind Su Yi’s flying boat.
Rate on N.U.
