Chapter 1340 - The Arrival of the Age of Transcendence

The descendants of immortals who’d survived the End of the Dharma were perhaps overly accustomed to power.

Both Fu Dongli, the one with the Obscuring Heavens Umbrella, and Mo Qingchou, the one who’d sent Li Zhong here to persuade Su Yi, thought they could force Su Yi to accept their “good intentions.”

They promised wondrous arts, precious treasures, protection, and that they’d bring Su Yi to the Immortal Realm to cultivate.

But they were effectively just saying, “I know you’re in deep shit, so I’ll help you out,

if

you agree to lower your head and do what I say.”

Were those really “good intentions?”

No.

They were really offering an exchange!

Su Yi wasn’t averse to making deals. No, what bothered him was their lofty, superior attitude.

He’d spent his whole life immersed in his pursuit of the Dao of the Sword. How could he possibly need another to lift him up?

Even if he was surrounded by enemies on all sides, how could he possibly need another to shelter him from the wind and rain?

The most ludicrous part was that both Mo Qingchou and Li Zhong obviously assumed he was in Universal Emptiness Temple because he wanted Sword Immortal Qingshi and the Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha to protect him!

In others’ eyes, I really am in grave peril. How could they possibly know that in my eyes, being surrounded by enemies is merely an opportunity to temper myself?

Those who fail to kill me will ultimately become my stepping stones, helping me create an unparalleled Grand Dao and soar to greater heights!

Su Yi shook his head, calmed his heart, and focused on his cultivation.

......

Night fell, and the leaves rustled as they were swept into the autumn winds.

“How many Transcendents long to become immortals even in their dreams? Yet Fellow Daoist Su disregarded this opportunity completely. I truly cannot help but praise his spirit,” said Sword Immortal Qingshi.

He thought back to the last moments before Li Zhong left. The old yao was obviously surprised by Su Yi’s spirit too; he even sighed in admiration.

The Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha clasped his palms together, his countenance like a Buddhist statue's. “The Buddha once said, ‘I vow to surpass this world and reach an unsurpassed path. I swear to refrain from achieving enlightenment until this vow has been fulfilled.’

“It seems to me that Fellow Daoist Su has similarly transcendent aspirations. He seeks an unsurpassed Grand Dao. If he fails to achieve his goals, it won’t matter even if he becomes an immortal, as that is not what he wishes for.”

“That’s indeed the case,” said Sword Immortal Qingshi with a hint of self-deprecation. “Were he to lower his head in exchange for a shot at immortality, his Immortal Dao ultimately wouldn’t even be worth looking at.”

These two top experts who’d survived the End of the Dharma were both deeply moved.

In pursuit of the Grand Dao, some people chose to ride the wind and borrow other’s power.

But others chose to find their own path, point their swords at heaven’s gates, and create their own unsurpassed Grand Dao!

Neither choice was intrinsically good or bad. After all, going with the flow took skill too.

And those who sought their own way walked a path riddled with thorns. This choice meant facing unimaginable difficulties and perils. One mistake could lead to annihilation.

“His heart is like a boulder. Even if the heavens fell and the earth caved in, it wouldn’t waver. Without powerful will, aspirations, and breadth of spirit, it would be impossible to be as calm as Fellow Daoist Su,” the Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha said solemnly. “Everyone thinks he’ll struggle to escape disaster, but I’ve never thought that. What if instead, Fellow Daoist Su fights until there’s no one left to oppose him? What then?”

Sword Immortal Qingshi’s eyes lit up. He laughed. “You might just be saying that... but I actually rather look forward to that day.”

......

The Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone.

An island shrouded in immortal mists and dotted with swaying pines, waterfalls, and springs.

“Young Mistress, I am ashamed to report that I could not complete the task you entrusted me with,” Li Zhong clasped his fists and said apologetically.

A young woman stood not far away, by the side of a cliff. She was tall, slender, and dressed in purple men’s robes. Her long black hair was tied into a Daoist topknot, and she had a pure, unaffected and extraordinary elegance about her.

“If he isn’t interested in immortality, what

is

he interested in?” she whispered, turning to look at Li Zhong.

Suddenly, misty light fell from the dome of heaven, illuminating the young woman’s pure, beautiful face and lending her an additional holy, extraordinary charm.

Her skin was as fair as snow, and her features were picture perfect. Unusually, she had pale golden eyes, which flashed with divine radiance when she looked around.

She was dressed like a man, but her elegance and bearing were dazzling nonetheless.

Mo Qingchou.

A prominent figure from the Immortal Realm, and a true descendant of immortals!

Li Zhong averted his gaze, not daring to gaze directly at her. “It seems to me that Su Yi has a powerful will and a strong spirit. He lives up to his reputation as the legendary expert whose sword once suppressed the stars. As for why he refused your good intentions, Young Mistress, perhaps... he simply isn’t willing to serve beneath another.”

Mo Qingchou mulled that over. “If he’s so proud, why has he hidden himself in Universal Emptiness Temple? How is that any different from subordinating himself to another?”

Li Zhong hesitated, then said, “To tell the truth, it didn’t seem like Su Yi was there to receive protection from Sword Immortal Qingshi and the Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha.”

“What makes you say that?”

Li Zhong fell briefly silent. “His spirit surpasses even Sword Immortal Qingshi and the Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha! During my visit, neither of them dared treat me with negligence, but Su Yi disregarded me from beginning to end.”

Mo Qingchou was stunned. “He’s really that arrogant?”

Li Zhong shook his head. “This isn’t arrogance, but rather, absolute confidence and composure. I paid close attention, and I could tell that Sword Immortal Qingshi and the Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha deeply respect him. Furthermore, during my visit, it was Su Yi who made all the decisions.”

“It sounds like Su Yi really is an unparalleled figure,” Mo Qingchou said softly. “It’s a pity I can’t put him to use...”

Li Zhong’s heart quivered. “Young Mistress, if you’ll forgive me for speaking out of turn, I hope you’ll wait a while longer instead of making a decision right away.”

A faint, playful smile appeared on Mo Qingchou’s lips. “Relax. I’m not so temperamental as to fly off the handle because he refused me. Besides, I said I’d give him time to think things over, and I naturally won’t go back on my word.”

Li Zhong inwardly sighed in relief.

“But....” Mo Qingchou continued, “We’re going to discuss Su Yi at tomorrow’s Immortal Assembly. I wouldn’t mind saying a few words on his behalf, but I’m certain the others won’t be so agreeable.”

Here, she subtly shook her head and sighed. “The crux of the matter is that he’s like a sword hovering over our heads. If we can’t control him, destroying him would be the wisest course of action!”

Li Zhong’s heart shook. Tomorrow’s Immortal Assembly would be a gathering place for numerous descendants of immortals with terrifying backgrounds, as well as the greatest experts of ancient orthodoxies.

And the most important topic of discussion would be what to do about Su Yi, the man who controlled the power of reincarnation!

It was just as Mo Qingchou said. Reincarnation was a sword hovering over the revenants’ heads. The stronger he was, the less willing they were to tolerate him!

“No matter what anyone else thinks, I’ll wait a while longer. Perhaps... after Su Yi has suffered enough and run into life-threatening misfortune, he’ll reconsider my good intentions...” whispered Mo Qingchou.

......

The next day, Mo Qingchou convened the Immortal Assembly every revenant beneath the heavens was paying attention to.

Word of the assembly spread, causing widespread uproar.

Two developments drew the most attention.

First, over the next couple of months, the ancient orthodoxies would join forces with the top orthodoxies of the present day to establish a new order!

Second, some of the ancient orthodoxies and descendants of ancient immortals had jointly declared that Su Yi had half a year to submit. If he did, he could escape death.

If he didn’t, they’d destroy him!

This news shook every last star realm, causing a massive commotion. Everyone could foresee that the Temple Master, the man whose sword once suppressed the stars, was about to get swept into an unpredictable and perilous storm!

......

“Mistress, that Su Yi guy is in for it this time!” The yellow dog, Xing Que, was visibly excited. It immediately rushed over to Daoist Master Red Cloud to report on the Immortal Assembly.

“All they did was express their stance. No need to pay them any heed,” said Daoist Master Red Cloud. She was busy making congee, and she was only half paying attention to Xing Que. “Besides, how many people can this so-called ‘Immortal Assembly' really represent?”

The dog thought for a moment. “Mistress, if you couldn’t even be bothered to attend, that proves the Immortal Assembly really wasn’t worth taking seriously.”

Daoist Master Red Cloud looked at the steaming white porridge and ordered, “Call A’Jiu over. It’s time to eat.”

“Wonderful!” The dog licked its chops and dashed off to carry out her orders.

......

Time slipped by. Another two months passed in a flash.

During this time, a series of rapid changes occurred throughout the stars.

One newly minted Transcendent after another returned from the Flying Immortal Forbidden Zone, becoming a popular topic of conversation.

Their ranks included the Painter, the founder of the Studio of the Heart, as well as Deng Zuo of the Primordial Unity Daoist Sect and Yan Daolin, the Supreme Leader of the Nine Heavens Pavilion.

All of them had returned!

Furthermore, Transcendents had appeared amongst the old-timers of the Six Ancient Guardian Clans of the dao and the Eight Great World King Clans, too!

All of this shook the stars, stirring up countless waves.

“The age of the Transcendents has already begun!”

“It’s sure to be the Transcendents who preside over the days to come.”

Countless people sighed over these developments.

The world was changing, and the balance of power was shifting. This would have a deep impact on every last cultivator’s future cultivation!

Who wouldn’t have paid attention?

“It’s only been two months, but there are already over a hundred new Transcendents, and those are just the ones we know of!”

“Who knows how many more experts have reached Transcendence in secret?”

“They say that those ancient orthodoxies already have Dao Integration Realm revenants to hold down the fort!”

Throughout these two months, experts of the Path of Transcendence were the most popular topic of conversation.

As for Su Yi? It was as if he’d evaporated into thin air. There’d been no word of him in all this time.

Universal Emptiness Temple.

A blizzard had raged for several days straight, coating this ancient Buddhist temple in white. Snow was piled high atop the eaves facing the courtyard.

A red clay furnace blazed next to the courtyard’s ancient tree. Someone was heating a jug of wine.

The flames were red-hot, and white steam rose out of the jug, wafting into the frigid air. An enticing fragrance soon permeated the entire Temple.

Su Yi sat sprawled out in his wicker chair, holding a cup of wine and enjoying the scenery.

Illuminating Emptiness sat by the tree’s roots, holding a greasy roasted bird and devouring it with relish.

Meanwhile, an old man in plain cloth robes and a round black cap appeared in the distant, snowy wilderness outside the temple, approaching against the wind.