Early the next morning.
A solemn atmosphere hung over the cloud-veiled lands of the Great Xia Sword Sect.
Every disciple stood in the main square dressed in neat sect robes, arrayed in orderly ranks, devoid of any clamor.
It was the height of summer, just as golden sunlight pierced the clouds and bathed the earth.
Within the courtyard on Tianlei Peak.
Having busied himself through the entire night, Gu Li emerged from Alchemy Peak, soot still smudging his face.
The moment Gu Li opened the door, he found everyone waiting for him.
He broke into a grin, pulling out several exquisite earrings that gleamed like golden glazed glass from his lapel.
Li Guanqi asked in bewilderment, "What are these?"
With great pride, Gu Li distributed the earrings among them. "These are trinkets I forged by combining the three paths of formations, talismans, and artifact crafting."
"I observed the process earlier—the ascension passages are all independent of one another."
"Which means... there's a chance we won't end up in the same place once we reach the other side."
"To make it easier for us to find each other, as long as our auras come within a thousand li of one another, this little gadget will be able to sense it!"
"Just in case, hehe, just in case."
"Fourth Brother, Sister-in-law, here are yours."
Once everyone had received a pair, Gu Li handed each of them a storage ring as well.
"These are inscribed talismans I prepared long ago. There are a hundred thousand in each ring."
Scratching his head, Gu Li added sheepishly, "Uh... the Forced Conception Talismans are limited in quantity, and I don't know if they'll still work up there, so use them sparingly."
A faint smile touched Li Guanqi's lips as he teased, "Wasn't it called the Great Soul-Rending Talisman?"
"Hahahahaha!"
Laughter rang out among the companions. Li Guanqi then said softly, "It's about time. Let's go."
Leading Meng Wanshu, Li Guanqi turned and bowed respectfully to Li Guilan.
Straightening up, the couple embraced the woman.
Li Guilan pressed her lips together, tears welling in her eyes.
Meng Jiangchu felt an even heavier pang in his chest. Yet he had no choice; even if he wished to remain behind, it was impossible...
Putting his arm around the woman, Meng Jiangchu whispered gently in her ear, "Guilan, cultivate diligently. We'll be waiting for you up there! When the time comes, our family will be together again."
With reddened eyes, Li Guilan reached out and pinched the soft flesh at his waist. "You bastard, if you dare fool around once you get up there, just you wait."
"I'll definitely cultivate with all my might and head up early to keep an eye on you!"
Everyone stifled their laughter at her words, while Meng Jiangchu smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Don't worry, I'm not that kind of man. We'll wait for you!"
With that, the group took to the skies!
By now, everyone's injuries were mostly healed. While not completely recovered, they were close enough.
Pengluo poked his head out, clinging to Li Guanqi's neck and wrapping his little arms around his head, his eyes shining brightly.
"How is Jiuxiao doing?"
Pengluo waved his arms excitedly, gesturing with gusto. "Don't worry, Master! I snapped off piece after piece of myself, crunch-crunch-crunch! Big Brother Nine was bursting with vigor after eating!"
"Ahem, he just needs to sleep a little longer and he'll wake up."
Li Guanqi suppressed a smile. It was obvious that Pengluo had genuinely felt heartache for Jiuxiao this time.
Jiuxiao's silent devotion had deeply moved him as well.
Li Guanqi and his sworn brothers formed a group of six, plus Meng Wanshu, Li Qingchan, and Meng Jiangchu—a total of nine people!
The main square of the Great Xia Sword Sect had been renovated overnight. Before the majestic great hall, an enormous statue of Li Guanqi loomed at the forefront.
Standing a full hundred zhang tall, it had been sculpted entirely from high-grade spirit stones, seamless and natural, fashioned from an entire small spiritual vein.
With robes billowing in white and a sword pointed toward the firmament, its brow held an unyielding resolve, exuding an extraordinary aura.
The nine figures stepped onto the colossal raised platform at the center of the square.
Lu Kangnian stood clad in his Sect Master robes, flanked by the entirety of the sect's high-ranking leadership.
Li Sheng'an turned to Zhong Lin and murmured, "To think that in this lifetime I would witness someone ascending, and they are peers from our very own cohort..."
Zhong Lin shrugged. "Did you think I ever imagined it?"
"I'm truly envious..."
Shen Lan stood near the front, tears shimmering in her eyes.
Li Guanqi's voice sounded beside her ear. "Rest easy, Mistress. Once I reach the upper realm, I will try every possible means to help Master!"
"Mistress, you must cultivate diligently as well, and ascend to the Immortal Realm soon!"
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Nine deep, resonant bell tolls echoed through the clouds!
Lu Kangnian stepped forward slowly, his expression solemn.
"Today, all of you are to ascend. There are a few words I wish to impart to you juniors."
Li Guanqi and the others composed themselves and bowed respectfully. "Please speak, Sect Master."
The man's gaze swept warmly across Li Guanqi, Ye Feng, and the rest.
He looked upon them not with the stern authority of a sect master regarding disciples, but more like a father watching his sons set off on a far journey.
"The past remains vivid before my eyes."
"Fate brought us together within this sect, where we subdued demons, upheld righteousness, and cultivated the Dao until this day."
"Now your wings are fully fledged, your swords pointed toward the nine heavens. You are about to cross that boundless void and step into the Immortal Realm."
"The path of cultivation is long, but step by step, one reaches the destination!"
"Hold fast to an upright heart and preserve righteous intent; only then may you advance without fear."
"Do not forget your original resolve. No matter which realm you find yourself in, always hold fast to the Dao within your heart!"
With solemn faces, everyone nodded heavily.
Lu Kangnian paused slightly, then continued in a gentle tone, "If fate permits in the days to come, I hope you will look back upon the mortal dust and guide more of the juniors who follow."
"Go forth! The immortal path is vast. Forge the path that belongs to you, achieve supreme immortal renown, and let your names endure for eternity!"
Hearing Lu Kangnian's words, everyone felt their blood stir.
The sworn brothers radiated boundless vigor!
Members of the Xiao family, the Ye family, the Tang family, and Gu Changsheng were nearly all present to witness the ceremony.
Gu Changsheng was severely injured and had chosen not to ascend alongside Gu Li this time.
With tears in their eyes, everyone waved their farewells!
With this parting... no one knew when they would ever meet again.
A vast heavenly pressure swept across heaven and earth.
The spiritual energy between the sky and the earth churned violently as a sacred golden glow radiated from all nine cultivators.
Across the firmament, glowing clouds unfurled, and blindingly bright radiance coalesced into sky-piercing pillars of light that plunged from above!
Nine massive golden pillars of light descended upon the square of the Great Xia Sword Sect, shrouding each of them within.
Rumble!
Heavenly thunder rolled across the sky as the reception heavenly tribulation arrived as promised.
Li Guanqi drew a deep breath and bowed toward Lu Kangnian.
"Great Xia Sword Sect disciple Li Guanqi, leading five sworn brothers, ascends to the Immortal Realm this day."
"For all these years, we thank the sect for nurturing and sheltering us, providing us with a foundation, and serving as our most steadfast pillar of support!"
"This kindness and benevolence shall never be forgotten!"
Lu Kangnian's eyes reddened. Exhaling repeatedly, he fought to steady his emotions.
Gripping his sword with one hand, he hurled it skyward and bellowed at the top of his lungs, "Disciples of the Great Xia Sword Sect, hear my command! Raise your swords!"
"We bid you farewell as you ascend to the Immortal Realm!"
Screech! Clang! Clang!
Successive sounds of drawn blades rang out as streaks of sword light of every hue surged from the ground, shooting straight into the clouds from the square!
Resounding sword hums shook the firmament!
"We bid our seniors farewell as you ascend to the Immortal Realm!"
"We bid our seniors farewell as you ascend to the Immortal Realm!"
This breathtaking spectacle drew the eyes of the entire world to the Great Xia Sword Sect.
Nine supreme experts ascending together from the Great Xia Sword Sect—such a grand occasion was unprecedented in history!
Chapter 1552