Ascension Platform

His business concluded, Xu Xian stood up and brushed the fallen snow from his shoulders, preparing to leave.

He spoke one last sentence toward the vast, swirling snow.

“By the way, your former subordinates have to go too...”

His words fell into a silent void.

He walked alone into the wind and snow.

“I won't see you out,” the Twilight Emperor responded.

Xu Xian remained indifferent and returned to the Wendao Sword Sect.

Since the deal was struck, it was time to get down to business.

He chose a secluded, uninhabited forest several hundred miles outside the mountain gate of the Wendao Sword Sect. After driving away the birds and beasts, he prepared to build a massive platform.

Xu Xian gathered stones from the three mountains and five peaks, melting them with scorching true flames and shaping them with breaths of extreme cold.

The platform rose ten thousand feet high.

It spanned several miles in width.

It stood majestic and towering in the mortal realm, clearly visible even from hundreds of miles away.

On the day the stone platform was completed, Xu Xian bestowed a name upon it.

【Ascension Platform】

In an instant, the disciples within the Wendao Sword Sect were abuzz with discussion.

First came the triple sword peaks, then the ten thousand mu of spirit fields, and now he had forged a high platform and named it Ascension. In recent years, their ancestor had certainly been busy.

Previously, ordinary disciples naturally couldn't guess Xu Xian's intentions. As for now, even those with dull wits understood what the ancestor was planning.

The Ascension Platform.

As the name suggested, it was naturally intended for ascending to immortality.

Fanzhou had not seen an immortal for tens of thousands of years.

Now, Ancestor Xu Xian had built the Ascension Platform; he surely intended to break the mundane cycle of these tens of thousands of years and ascend to the heavens.

In this light, all his previous abnormal behaviors now had a rational explanation.

Many disciples couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation, hoping to witness the reopening of the Sky Gate and the recreation of the path to immortality for Fanzhou with their own eyes.

All of this would surely be recorded in the annals of history.

They were fanatical; they were worshipful.

Of course, there were also those who were filled with sorrow and bitterness because of this...

For example, Lin Qianqian.

For example, Zhang Yang.

If Xu Xian ascended and left, it would truly be the point where immortals and mortals walk different paths. There might never be a day they would meet again in this life.

Gazing at that high platform, Zhang Yang spoke with emotion. “Brother Xian is truly incredible. He’s actually about to become an immortal. Tsk tsk... times have really changed.”

Lin Qianqian lowered her eyes, remaining silent in her melancholy.

Zhang Yang forced a smile. “Cheer up, this is a good thing.”

Immortality and longevity were the lifelong pursuits of every cultivator. To those unaware of the internal details, ascension was never a bad thing.

Rather, it was the ultimate goal that the myriad beings and countless experts of Fanzhou spent their entire lives chasing.

Lin Qianqian gave him a flat look and said coldly, “When did I say I wasn't happy?”

Zhang Yang fell silent, feeling sheepish.

The unhappiness was written all over her face; did she really need to say it out loud?

Lin Qianqian didn't care to dwell on it. She said to Zhang Yang, “Let's find a time to go see him.”

Zhang Yang was startled and asked in surprise, “You’ve finally made up your mind?”

Previously, he had suggested visiting Xu Xian, but Lin Qianqian had declined every time.

As for the reason, anyone who understood would know.

It was nothing more than the gap in their statuses and the chasm between their realms. They had long since ceased to be people of the same world.

Not disturbing him, not provoking him, silently keeping him in her thoughts, and watching from afar—that was supposed to be the best state.

The Zhang Yang of four hundred years ago couldn't understand a girl's heart.

But how could the Zhang Yang of four hundred years later not guess her thoughts?

Lin Qianqian didn't explain. She simply stared at the Ascension Platform and answered a question he hadn't asked. “If I don't see him now, I’m afraid I won’t see him again in this lifetime.”

With that single sentence, Zhang Yang also became dejected.

A look of loneliness crept onto his sturdy face, carrying a sense of helplessness and reluctance. “Yeah... once he goes to the heavens, we really won't be on the same path anymore...”

He had some talent.

So did Lin Qianqian.

But their talent was only slightly outstanding compared to the majority of beings in the mortal realm.

They might be able to step into the eighth stage and become the mountain immortals that the world spoke of with reverence.

However, they could never truly become immortals.

It wasn't just about self-awareness; looking back at the history of Fanzhou, those who had ascended were few and far between. Even the ancestors of the Three Sects and several ancestors within their own sect couldn't do it, so the two of them?

To say they could would be a pipe dream.

Effort could not bridge this natural chasm.

...

The news of the Ascension Platform's construction began to spread within the Wendao Sword Sect. The versions of the story varied, yet they all pointed to one thing.

Xu Xian, the Leader of the Sword Dao, intended to become an immortal.

It was a monumental piece of good news and a grand event worth anticipating.

Gradually, the news of Xu Xian building the Ascension Platform spread to the other lands—the Central Plains, the Demon Abyss, the East Desolation, the North Sea...

In a short time, while perhaps not everyone knew, there wasn't a single notable expert in Fanzhou who remained unaware.

After the Sword Inquiry of the world, although the various races and sects had gone into seclusion and never provoked the Wendao Sword Sect again, they never lacked spies planted in the Northern Borders.

News from the Wendao Sword Sect was constantly sent back and placed in their high halls.

Xu Xian entering the tribulation stage within a hundred years—they knew.

Xu Xian's three hundred years in the Red Dust—they knew.

Xu Xian's ten-year Heart Demon Crossing—they also knew.

There was also the previous piling of the high peaks, the opening of new fields, and now the Ascension Platform.

They were well aware of everything.

They even knew that the Shadow Hall of the Wendao Sword Sect was deliberately spreading news and rumors across the various lands.

Therefore, they could naturally guess the intention of this Leader of the Sword Dao.

However, when the news reached them, their thoughts differed greatly from those of the ordinary disciples of the Wendao Sword Sect.

Logically, Xu Xian becoming an immortal meant he would have to reopen the Sky Gate, which was exactly what they desired.

After all, they had been waiting for so many years. Their siege of the Wendao Sword Sect four hundred years ago had been for this very purpose.

But when they heard this news, they felt worry instead of joy. Their brows were furrowed in anxiety and unease.

They felt that even if Xu Xian were to become an immortal, he didn't need to forge an Ascension Platform, nor did they believe that, given Xu Xian's character, he would want his ascension to be known by the entire world.

Moreover, the Wendao Sword Sect had sealed the Sky Gate for ten thousand years; did it make sense for them to open it just like that now?

Everything served as a warning to them that there must be a hidden motive.

It was definitely not as simple as the rumors and what was seen.

Was it a trap?

Was it a conspiracy?

They had no way of knowing.

But they were certain that the peace Fanzhou had enjoyed for over four hundred years was likely about to be disrupted again.

They were worried.

Worried about Xu Xian's reckoning.

They were afraid.

Afraid that this so-called Ascension Platform would ultimately become their guillotine.

...

In private, some pretended not to know and remained silent, some frequently showed their faces in an attempt to uncover the truth, and some hid themselves away for fear of what was to come...

There were also those who sent trusted subordinates to the Wendao Sword Sect to proactively state their stance.

Xu Xian ignored all of this.

He only cared about the result, and moreover, he had no need to consider the feelings of these people.

Some things had to be done.

And some accounts definitely had to be settled...

After the Ascension Platform was built, rumors filled the air, spreading across the four seas and eight wastes. The various lands were anxious, and dark undercurrents surged through the mortal realm.

The major powers of the various lands were in frequent contact.

As time passed, the suspicions in their hearts became more certain.

Their fear and worry grew exponentially.

Three months later, Xu Xian, having prepared everything, left the Wendao Sword Sect. After four hundred years, he returned once more to the Demon Abyss.

He arrived in his capacity as Xu Xian, knocking at the gates.

He spoke politely to the commander of the Blazing Fortress.

“Excuse me.”

“Please inform Jin Qing...”

“That Xu Xian requests an audience!”