Is the Sky Gate sealed beneath the sect?
Yes.
Does Xu Xian want to ascend?
Yes.
Does he want to reopen the Sky Gate?
Yes.
Does he want to recreate Fanzhou's path to immortality?
Yes and no.
Does he want to let others become immortals?
Yes and no.
...
Xu Xian came clean, responding truthfully to everyone's confusion. But what was his intention in mentioning those ten thousand mu of spirit fields and that high peak?
Xu Xian did not say it explicitly. He simply told them, “Ascending to immortality and climbing to the heavens isn't necessarily a good thing. Therefore, I don't plan on letting you all participate...”
Becoming an immortal,
ascending to the heavens,
was not a good thing?
This left the others feeling quite bewildered.
If it wasn't a good thing, then it was a bad thing.
There had to be some unspeakable secret Above the Heavens. This wasn't entirely unexpected, as they firmly believed their Master had sealed the Sky Gate back then to protect Fanzhou.
As for what kind of danger lurked Above the Heavens, they naturally had no way of knowing.
They only had their speculations.
That ascension was a trap...
That those Above the Heavens fed on the ascended from Fanzhou...
The usual common refrains.
They tried to press him, asking what exactly was going on Above the Heavens.
Xu Xian didn't know how to explain it.
He only said that beyond the cage,
danger lurked at every turn.
He added that he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, but that it was mentioned by their Master.
He had made his point clear enough.
Those who understood, understood.
Ascension
was very likely equivalent to death.
Then...
Jiang Wanyin asked the greatest question in everyone's hearts, “If that's the case, Little Eleven, why are you still so determined to ascend?”
Xu Xian thought for a moment and smiled. “First, if I want to become stronger, I have no choice but to ascend. Second, I have reasons why I must go. If I don't, a catastrophe will surely befall Fanzhou...”
A catastrophe.
Another catastrophe!
In the unknown prophecies, a tribulation rising in Fanzhou was no longer a secret among the powerhouses of the world.
Back then,
Senior Brother Yun Zheng had also mentioned it.
However,
they had originally thought that the so-called catastrophe was because the patriarchs of the Wendao Sword Sect would reach the end of their lifespans, leading to chaos in the world.
But that scenario had already been resolved by Xu Xian four hundred years ago.
Yet,
the catastrophe remained, and danger lurked everywhere.
They also understood that the so-called catastrophe did not originate within Fanzhou, but from outside of it...
In recent years,
they had never stopped their deductions and investigations into this catastrophe. Xu Xian's various abnormal actions only served to further confirm the suspicions in their hearts.
Today,
they finally heard the affirmative answer from Xu Xian's own mouth.
The catastrophe was still there,
born from beyond the heavens.
Little Eleven was born to meet the tribulation. Therefore, he intended to go to the upper realm alone to face it...
Their worries materialized at this moment.
Ye Xianyu said softly, “But doing that is too risky.”
Xu Xian laughed. “This is how it is for us cultivators.”
“Is it absolutely necessary to go?” Ye Xianyu asked a question that even she felt was quite childish.
Xu Xian chuckled softly. “Some things just have to be done by someone. Have you forgotten, Senior Sister? You were the one who taught me that.”
Ye Xianyu was speechless.
The other four fell silent.
At their level, some things didn't need to be explained in detail.
Besides, Xu Xian had already made it very clear.
He had to go.
He had reasons why he must go.
For himself?
Perhaps.
But more than that, it was for this world.
To prevent the calamity falling upon Fanzhou.
Furthermore,
it could only be him, and only he could do it.
Out of selfishness,
they didn't want Little Eleven to risk himself.
Out of rationality,
they knew he had no choice but to go.
They wanted to persuade him, but they didn't know how to speak.
It was just like when Senior Brother Yun Zheng traveled far to the East Desolation.
They knew
he would die.
But they also knew
he was right.
They shouldn't stop him.
Right things must be done, no matter what.
It was the same now.
They knew Xu Xian was right.
Even if it was a journey of no return, he had to go.
If they tried to stop him,
it would be them who were being unreasonable.
In the Wendao Sword Sect, this was a principle that even ordinary disciples understood.
Growing up in the Wendao Sword Sect, they had the resolve to sacrifice their lives for the greater good. This was the awareness a disciple of the sect should have.
As patriarchs, they should embody this even more.
Even if they were unwilling, even if they felt regret, even if they were frustrated...
they still had to go through with it.
There wasn't much back-and-forth, nor was there much sentimentality.
They accepted it in silence and compromised without a word.
Finally...
Jiang Wanyin simply asked, “What can we do?”
After a pause, she explained with extreme seriousness, “Or rather, what can we do that might help you?”
The others turned their gazes toward him.
Solemn,
heavy.
The atmosphere was very subtle.
Unaccustomed to it, Xu Xian spoke to ease the tension, “Don't look at me like that. It's still early, and the matter is of great importance. I still need to plan carefully. Rest assured, you will eventually be able to help...”
The others remained silent.
Jiang Wanyin promised, “Fine. We'll wait for you. We're on standby at any time.”
Xu Xian set aside his smile and replied solemnly,
“Good!”
After the confession, the group left. They told Xu Xian to plan well and not to be distracted, so they wouldn't disturb him any longer.
Xu Xian didn't ask them to stay,
nor did he see them out.
The five left,
each returning to their own homes,
their hearts heavy with thought.
After the five left, Lu Yuan, who had been waiting in the clouds for a long time, arrived immediately after. Seeing Xu Xian's solemn expression, he teased,
“What's wrong? Lectured again?”
Xu Xian ignored him.
Feeling a bit awkward, Lu Yuan rubbed his nose sheepishly.
He leaned in and asked about the main business, “I see you’ve mostly finished getting your final affairs in order. When do you plan to leave?”
Xu Xian glanced at him and rolled his eyes.
Were those words even human?
If people didn't know better, they'd think he was about to kick the bucket.
He said flatly, “Why don't you listen to what you're saying?”
Lu Yuan gave a sheepish laugh. “Haha, a slip of the tongue. What I meant was, when do you plan to ascend? I need to get ready.”
Xu Xian asked knowingly, “What are you getting ready for?”
With his hands behind his head, Lu Yuan paced around the courtyard and said lazily, “Whether you like it or not, I'm definitely going with you.”
Xu Xian poured a cup of tea for himself and tried to persuade him, “People will die.”
Lu Yuan laughed instead of showing fear. “Then I definitely have to go.”
Xu Xian asked, “Aren't you afraid of death?”
“Of course I am.”
“Then don't go.”
Lu Yuan said irritably, “I'm afraid of death, but I'm even more afraid of dying without knowing why. It's fine if I don't go, but if you release the Beast Control Seal for me, I'll stay.”
Xu Xian sipped his tea...
Lu Yuan provoked him, “Is it because you don't dare?”
The underlying meaning was clear:
If I don't go, can you really be at ease...
An Immortal King clone, a being from the Era of Ancient Immortals Above the Heavens—if he lost his constraints and restrictions, would you be afraid?
Xu Xian gave him a deep look.
Truth be told,
to say he was at ease
would be a lie.
Xu Xian didn't dare to gamble.
People could change.
Lu Yuan's connection with the Wendao Sword Sect all stemmed from him. Once he left, that bond would be severed.
Lu Yuan wasn't born in Fanzhou and had no feelings for the place...
It was impossible to say what would happen in the future.
It was true that he didn't want Lu Yuan to risk danger with him, but he couldn't ignore this potential risk either.
Fortunately, Lu Yuan had come to him. He would grant his wish then.
For Lu Yuan,
for himself,
and for all of Fanzhou.
It was for the best!
He compromised, “Fine, you can go. But first, you have to reach the tribulation transcendence stage...”
Rate on N.U.
