Chapter 475: Becoming Immortals At The Same Time

When Xi Lian's immortal light appeared, every cultivator training here, except for those in the Platform of Immortal Dreams, sensed the subtle strand of profound Dao Rhythm drifting through the Small Immortal Realm.

"Is Fei Yu about to ascend?"

"We shouldn't waste the opportunity we get to cultivate here, but we can't miss a sight like this."

"It's been so long since primal qi returned and the revival of the cultivation started reshaping our world. Finally, a cultivator from Earth is about to tread the path of immortality."

"

Hahahaha!

Brother Sheng is incredible! Not to brag, Little Liu, but the first time I saw him, I saw the bearing of an immortal! My eyes really are blessed!

Hahaha!

"

Soon, the Daoists gathered near the immortal palace, only to discover that it was Xi Lian rising slowly in the pillar of light. Many felt slightly disappointed, but they still concentrated on sensing the changes that Xi Lian went through during her ascension. For cultivators below the Grand Immortal-Ascension Realm, this was a rare opportunity.

The Daoists sat outside the palace and gradually slipped into meditation, each comprehending their own Dao. Seven days later, Wang Sheng's immortal light burst skyward several hundred meters behind the palace, startling all the cultivators again.

Xi Lian's ascension had a serene and peaceful Dao Rhythm, like clear spring water flowing through the Small Immortal Realm.

Wang Sheng's ascent was completely different. His four great sword intents surged as if out of control, putting cultivators who hadn't become an immortal yet under immense pressure.

The Heavenly Ziwei Sword Intent was the most overbearing of all. The force of dominion it spread over countless constellations had a kingly authority that made every Daoist master in the area feel the urge to bow before him.

Wang Sheng's consciousness drifted within a multi-colored world. Countless celestial swords floated far beyond its horizon, some as vast as mountains, others as small as insects. There seemed to be no end to them. Moreover, the swords felt alive. Their ringing rose and fell as if speaking to him, and waves of sword radiance rippled through the air.

Not only did he feel as though he had entered the world of swords, but he also felt like his Dao of the Sword had stirred every other Dao of the Sword in the universe.

Knowing that this kind of opportunity was rare and only appeared during ascension, Wang Sheng poured all his focus into comprehending and exploring, letting his consciousness roam in search of his own sword. He didn't know how long it took. Though it had only been ten days in the outside world, decades seemed to have passed.

Finally, a sudden understanding dawned on him. If he could enter this realm, had he already become the sword he sought?

He stilled himself, and he began to solidify. A ridge formed. An edge sharpened.

When he looked at himself, he had already become a "sword."

At that moment, every Daoist master near the palace and Mu Wanxuan, who was inside it, felt a sword quietly reflecting itself in their Dao Hearts. Its hilt bore a rotating Tai Chi of water and fire, its blade gleamed like a mirror, and constellations evolved along its length. Beneath its tip, a faint gray cloud drifted.

The power of dual polarity, the imperial authority of the endless starry skies, the dreadful aura of heavenly tribulation... the sword's Pure Yang Dao Rhythm perfectly fused all of the other Dao Rhythms.

The projection was the manifestation of Wang Sheng's Dao of the Sword. It perfectly reflected the level of his sword cultivation at that moment.

A ringing cry echoed from the blade, pushing Wang Sheng's consciousness back into his Dao Body along with an insight. Right after, his Dao Body slowly rose within the pillar of light.

𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

The strange world earlier had to have been the world of the Great Dao of the Sword, and the swords in it were the Dao imprints that other cultivators had left behind during their ascension. Their Dao had etched itself into the Great Dao, leaving a trace of their existence.

By completing this process, they reached the Ascended Immortal Realm and gained the right to become immortal.

His only regret was that he hadn't been aware of this phase beforehand. Otherwise, he wouldn't have missed the chance to comprehend the Great Dao of the Sword more deeply.

Even so, Wang Sheng had never been the type to dwell on regret. His awareness shifted to observe the changes in his Dao Body.

He faintly sensed a mysterious force descending from space and pouring into his Dao Body, his Primordial Spirit, and his every cell.

The sensation felt familiar. He had likely felt it in the world of swords.

Is this the imprint I have left by drawing power from the Great Dao?

After thinking about it, he quietly allowed the force to flow. He tried to absorb it, but couldn't find a way to.

As the power intensified, his Dao Body grew lighter, making it seem as if he could effortlessly break free from the gravity of the Small Immortal Realm and drift upward.

Except he truly was slowly ascending within the pillar.

Soon, he felt his Dao Body dissolve layer by layer. His Primordial Spirit floated within warm light, like sinking into a down quilt in the heart of winter multiplied a thousand times over.

Wrapped in warmth so complete that all thought seemed to fade, he drifted without knowing where he went.

Though he and Xi Lian couldn't see their respective conditions, the Daoists around them could. When Wang Sheng began rising, Xi Lian also entered the same phase.

Dots of light floated around them like swan feathers. Within the glow, they turned transparent, then gradually regained shape.

The process lasted three whole days, only ending when the two reached the top of their respective pillars of light at nearly the same moment.

Wang Sheng's Daoist robe had returned, while Xi Lian was now in a white gown that made her look like an orchid blooming in a quiet valley—a beauty that captivated every eye effortlessly.

The aura Wang Sheng released had the steadiness and purity that Daoist cultivators pursued. It was balanced, continuous, and filled with clear Pure Yang Qi.

Xi Lian's aura felt calm and serene—light and untainted. Since she cultivated using both Buddhist and Daoist methods and was born a fiend, her aura was naturally weaker than Wang Sheng's.

A sudden clap of thunder echoed, its source unidentified. Wang Sheng and Xi Lian opened their eyes at the same time, standing several hundred meters opposite each other.

Wang Sheng's eyes flashed, and a massive sword instantly appeared behind him. His sword intent seemed sharp and strong enough to slice open the sky of the Small Immortal Realm.

Xi Lian was far less fortunate. A white fox phantasm lying on a lotus platform had appeared behind her and was about to roar at Wang Sheng when the sword intent swept down upon it. The fox shrank its neck and pinned itself to the lotus platform, too afraid to move.

Fortunately, Wang Sheng regained clarity in time. He offered Xi Lian an apologetic smile, and the phantasms behind them dispersed like mist.

Xi Lian froze for a moment. Joy then flickered across her face, but it quickly changed to frustration. Moreover, her expression twisted as if on the verge of an outburst. Speechless, she raked her fingers through her smooth silver hair.

She was clearly agitated.

Up on the palace roof, Mu Wanxuan flew over in concern. She quickly asked, "What happened?"

"If you count the thousand years I spent sealed away, I have cultivated for almost two thousand years before finally becoming an immortal. That man of yours has only cultivated for how long? Has he even reached a hundred years yet?!"

Mu Wanxuan could not help but laugh softly. She held Xi Lian's hand and swayed her arm lightly. The fox merely had to vent a little anyway. After all, Wang Sheng's ascension meant she now had a sturdy thigh to cling to.

Mu Wanxuan pulled Xi Lian along and prepared to fly toward Wang Sheng, but Wang Sheng suddenly gestured for them to stay back.

He remained suspended in the air, quietly sensing their surroundings.

Shi Qianzhang, Gao Shixing, Liu Yunzhi, and Fei Lianzi had already been waiting on the palace roof. Since they were close to Wang Sheng or shared a deep friendship with him, they rushed forward to seemingly seize the right to congratulate him first. However, Wang Sheng's gesture stopped them as well.

Hasn't he already gone through the Grand Ascension Passage? Is it not over yet?

Wang Sheng was already releasing a dense immortal spirit aura and the unmistakable pressure of an immortal. They couldn't even begin to fathom what else he had to break through.

As they wondered, Wang Sheng took a step forward. A swirl of seven-colored light appeared above his head, and a strange, drifting cloud followed. Somehow, the thick and rotating cloud looked like smoke and cloud, yet it also didn't.

Along with a sword cry, a streak of sword radiance flew toward him and hovered before him. Yaoyun transformed into a three-inch-tall fairy and stood on the sword hilt, staring at the scene in astonishment.

"Auspicious clouds?"

Wang Sheng blinked. "Is something wrong?"

Yaoyun shook her head slightly and fell into thought. A moment later, realization became evident in her expression, causing a corner of her mouth to twitch. She then sighed.

Wang Sheng smiled bitterly. "What are auspicious clouds?"

"You can think of it as—"

The auspicious clouds shifted, interrupting Yaoyun. One immortal crane after another flew out of the cloud. On each of them rode the phantasm of an immortal, the most striking of which were three old beings with unusual features.

Wang Sheng recognized them at a glance. As a seasoned Daoist cultivator, there was no way he wouldn't recognize the three immortals of fortune, prosperity, and longevity.

Led by the trio, the immortals circled Wang Sheng and cupped their hands at him again and again, as if speaking blessings. Moments later, the auspicious clouds released a group of immortal maidens. Some danced, some played ethereal music with cheerful melodies.

Flower petals rained around Wang Sheng, and the clouds continued to roll. Within them hid various celestial pills and medicines.

At that moment, an impulse struck Wang Sheng. Before Yaoyun could say a word, he lifted Spiritless and hurled it into the auspicious clouds, pulling Yaoyun with it. Nearly a third of the auspicious clouds gathered around the sword.

Wang Sheng recalled a scripture that he had once read in the old texts that his forefather had left behind. In ancient times, when a great cultivator broke through to the Grand Dao Golden Immortal Realm, auspicious clouds would form if the Great Dao approved them. Grand Dao Golden Immortals would use those clouds to refine their treasured artifacts.

Wang Sheng wasn't familiar with artifact crafting. Even if he were, he had no way to control the auspicious clouds. All he knew was that they were valuable, and the simplest choice he could make was to throw Spiritless into them and see what would happen.

The auspicious clouds seemed to stir the Small Immortal Realm itself. Immortal palaces, pools, and even artificial mountains began to project phantasms that all cupped their hands to Wang Sheng from afar.

While seemingly deep in thought, Wang Sheng formally bowed to them in return.

Many strange things had occurred during his ascension. He would require time to sort through them and consult with Yaoyun later.

While pondering, he recalled that he had a second celestial sword. When he returned to the Moon Palace nine years ago, it still took him several months to remember and retrieve Flying Haze.

He quickly summoned Flying Haze and threw it into the auspicious clouds as well. About a twentieth of the clouds were drawn to it.

Wang Sheng considered flying into the clouds himself, but when he rose, the clouds ascended with him. He could only give up on the thought.

What on earth is this thing?

In the distance, Xi Lian paced back and forth for several hundred steps while watching everything unfold. Immortal light swirled around her as she transformed into a four-year-old or five-year-old child. She then leaped into Mu Wanxuan's arms and burst into tears.

Mu Wanxuan patted the little fox girl's head with deep affection. Watching her junior brother frown in concentration beneath the auspicious clouds, her gaze softened. A faint helplessness mixed with her tenderness.

She knew all too well what it felt like to get hit by the same blow that Xi Lian had sustained.