The Ascension Convention

The facts proved that the Innate Martial Bones trait was indeed exceptionally suited to cultivating the unity of spirit and martial arts. There was no other reason—for Xu Yuan, controlling his qi and blood was almost instinctive. All he needed to do was exert every effort to control his spiritual energy.

Thus, on the very first day, he achieved precise control over the two forces. By the fifth day, he had begun attempting their initial fusion.

Having officially stepped through this door, Xu Yuan felt even more confident. Even without relying on his dharma sword, he reckoned he would no longer fear an ordinary third-layer Qi Refinement cultivator.

That day, Xu Yuan returned from the mine as usual.

After attending his spellcraft class, he had not stopped working in the mine. On the contrary, he worked an additional two hours every day to make up for the time spent in class.

Perhaps this high-intensity routine had forced out his potential. Recently, though his cultivation time had decreased, his cultivation had not fallen behind by much. Instead, it felt as though his accumulation had become much faster than before.

Tonight was highly likely to bring the appearance of twin moons. He did not linger outside, and after buying some dried meat, hurried back home.

Sure enough, about half an hour later, the outside suddenly became eerily bright. Through the gauze window, he could see two identical full moons hanging in midair.

"To create such a sight, the Hidden Moon Sect Master truly possesses unfathomable divine abilities. I wonder what level his cultivation has reached."

Just as Xu Yuan was speculating inwardly, a voice suddenly sounded beside him.

"When the twin moons share the sky, you'd best not think of that person, much less speak of him. Otherwise, there's a good chance he'll notice you."

The voice was somewhat unfamiliar, but Xu Yuan recognized the tone at once. He hurriedly looked to his right, only to see a black crow with red eyes perched by the window, preening its feathers.

"Senior Rong Ling?"

Xu Yuan asked tentatively. The black crow gave a hum, then flapped its wings and landed on his shoulder.

"Your cultivation has progressed fairly well. Looks like you haven't spared yourself in diligent cultivation."

The black crow praised him. Xu Yuan promptly replied, "It is all thanks to Senior Rong Ling's excellent guidance. I too wish to raise my cultivation as soon as possible, so I can be of greater help."

Rong Ling: "..."

"If this weren't the Hidden Moon Sect, I might actually have believed you."

Rong Ling said with an amused tone. Then the crow she inhabited suddenly spat out an object—a token gleaming with silver light, bearing the character "Rong."

Yet compared to Xu Yuan's iron token, the "Rong" character on this bright silver plaque was undoubtedly far more vivid and lifelike. Stare at it for too long, and one would actually feel as though their mind and spirit were being drawn into it.

"The sect will be holding a new recruitment assembly tomorrow. I need to enter seclusion soon and have no time to go, so make the trip in my stead."

With that, the crow lowered its head and tossed Rong Ling's identity token into Xu Yuan's hand.

"There is no need to be timid. Holding this identity token is the same as my being there in person. Whatever benefits those examinees offer, accept them as well—just do not keep them all for yourself."

Having said that, the black crow turned to Xu Yuan again. "Is there anything else you do not understand?"

Xu Yuan shook his head. The crow flapped its wings and left his shoulder. "Then go."

As the words fell, the twin moons outside had already faded away. The black crow passed straight through the window and left Xu Yuan's room.

Holding her identity token in his hand, Xu Yuan felt for the first time that this thing was somewhat scorching to hold.

Still, if he were to flash this before Zhang Chao, could he perhaps...

Xu Yuan slapped his own face and hurriedly forced himself to forget that dangerous thought. Scaring Zhang Chao with the iron token was one thing, but if he used the silver token to swindle others and Rong Ling found out, he would be in for a disaster he could not stomach.

"A recruitment assembly?"

Recalling the scene from over a year ago, Xu Yuan suddenly felt somewhat sentimental.

Looking back, he too had now become the immortal in that young boy's eyes. Yet this immortal was not nearly as carefree and unrestrained as he had imagined back then.

The next day, early morning.

Xu Yuan rose from bed early, tidied up his appearance, and changed into a new daoist robe before pushing open the door and heading out.

Leaving Biyou Market, he followed the mountain path he had entered by back then. When he reached Life-Taking Bridge, he even greeted that black crow.

The other party seemed to be stationed there permanently. Seeing Xu Yuan and learning that he was handling matters for Rong Ling, the crow was rather surprised.

"You're doing pretty well, kid. You've actually made it under that madwoman's wing. Then when you cross the bridge later, don't you dare be stingy to the last hair."

"This junior will remember." Xu Yuan bowed to him. This time, he knew that this black crow was also one of the inner mountain disciples, and was likely not much inferior to Rong Ling.

When he arrived once more before the mountain gate from back then, more than a dozen disciples stood beneath the enormous archway. Most wore white robes; gray-robed disciples like Xu Yuan numbered only four or five.

The two sides had formed clearly distinct groups. However, the white-robed disciples occupied the overwhelming majority of the space, while the gray-robed ones had been squeezed into a corner.

As Xu Yuan looked around, a voice suddenly sounded beside him. "Fellow Daoist, which esteemed person are you here to serve?"

Xu Yuan turned and discovered that it was one of the gray-robed group calling to him. After a moment's thought, he joined them.

"I have come on behalf of Senior Rong Ling."

After considering it, Xu Yuan did not conceal it.

"Oh, so it's that esteemed person." The other man came to a realization, then pointed at the dozen or so tables set out ahead.

"Once the elder disperses the clouds and mist, we'll take our seats over there. But take note: we must wait until all those esteemed persons have seated themselves before we may go over."

Xu Yuan nodded. Although Rong Ling had told him not to be intimidated, he was no foolish hothead. He understood such rules.

They were not kept waiting for long. When the light of the great sun at the horizon fell upon the archway, the elder standing before the crowd stepped forward and lightly waved his hand.

In an instant, the dense mist surrounding the mountain gate surged forward, forming a bridge that connected to a distant mountaintop.

Xu Yuan had witnessed such an astounding sight before, years ago. Only then, he had been on the other side; now, he stood at this end.

As the mist rolled onward, the white-robed disciples standing ahead began taking their seats. Seeing that most of them had gone, Xu Yuan joined the gray-robed ones in choosing a place, ultimately settling in the upper left.

Now that he was closer to the front, he could see the scene beyond the mist more clearly. On that small mountain peak stood several thousand—perhaps even tens of thousands—of people.

Among them were men and women, young and old. Seeing the path to heaven open, every face was filled with yearning and excitement.

"The immortal path has opened! The immortal path has opened! The rumors were true after all—the immortals have come to receive us!"

Amid the exhilarated cries, countless people suddenly surged forward, stepping onto the "immortal path" paved with clouds and mist.

But after taking only a few steps, screams erupted from beside them. The road formed by clouds and mist was uneven; in some places, the vapor was sparse, barely noticeable at a glance. One misstep, and they would plunge straight through.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, someone immediately shouted, "This must be a test from the immortal masters! Their hearts were not sincere, so they fell!"

The moment those words were spoken, countless people chimed in. After a slight pause, the tide of people continued rolling onward, and for a time, the piercing screams grew ever denser.

"Hmph. Mortal pigs and dogs."

A white-robed disciple sneered in disdain. Xu Yuan's heart stirred. Back then, he too had believed this was a test from the immortals.

Shifting his gaze away from the clouds and mist, his spirit eyes saw below. Upon the sheer rock wall of that bottomless valley, a massive snake as thick as a water vat had opened its jaws, swallowing the flesh and blood falling from above one mouthful at a time.

"Green Snake Elder will be able to eat his fill this time."

Beside him, the gray-robed man who had called out to Xu Yuan earlier spoke with a smile, clapping his hands in approval.

For a moment, below came shrill, miserable cries, while laughter on both sides rang out in a raucous, grating chorus. Xu Yuan leaned back slightly, and the corner of his mouth twitched for no reason.

"Heh."