Chapter 139 - The Key to Ascension
Chapter 139: Chapter 139 - The Key to Ascension
The younger generation gathering eventually came to an end.
The Radiant Sky Sect disciples walked back toward Quiet Jade Inn beneath the evening light.
Su Bai walked silently.
Earlier, Zhuge Jing had nearly guessed something dangerous.
The young scholar had watched Su Bai’s fighting style for too long.
At first, many people thought Su Bai’s needle techniques were related to the Tang Clan.
That was natural.
The Tang Clan used needles. Su Bai used needles.
To most people, that was enough.
But Zhuge Jing had looked deeper.
He had realized that Su Bai’s method was fundamentally different.
Tang Clan needles were real needles.
Su Bai’s needles were not quite the same.
Then Zhuge Jing had narrowed his eyes and said, very gently, "Brother Su’s speed is also unusual."
At that moment, several nearby cultivators had leaned closer.
Su Bai had felt the familiar danger of workplace gossip gathering around a printer.
Zhuge Jing had continued, "Fast hand movements, needle-based attacks, extreme precision, concealed Qi threads, and a movement method that leaves almost no waste..."
His feather fan had paused.
"Could it be related to the Sunflower Method?"
For one breath, the entire area had gone silent.
Then several female cultivators had looked shocked.
Some looked aggrieved.
Some looked at Su Bai with complicated sympathy.
One even seemed ready to mourn something on his behalf.
Su Bai had worn his corporate poker face.
Zhuge Jing had then smiled and dismissed his own thought.
"No, that should not be right. Those who cultivate the Sunflower Method usually have altered voices. Brother Su’s voice is still low and steady."
Several expressions became even more complicated.
Zhuge Jing had continued thoughtfully, "Moreover, the Sunflower Method is clearly a martial arts manual. Unless Brother Su somehow transformed it into a cultivation method..."
He had paused there.
Only for a tiny moment.
But Su Bai had noticed.
Zhuge Jing had also noticed that he had noticed.
Then the young scholar had smiled as though nothing had happened.
"Forget it. This one was only speaking nonsense."
Su Bai had answered by not answering.
That was the safest answer.
Because sometimes, denial was a rope.
And clever people enjoyed pulling ropes.
Now, walking back to Quiet Jade Inn, Su Bai remained silent.
Zhuge Jing was also beginning to suspect that Su Bai’s constitution itself was abnormal.
That was dangerous.
Su Bai did not know what would happen if the cultivation world learned about the Reversal Body.
Would they fear it?
Study it?
Covet it?
Call it demonic?
Try to refine him?
In this world, all possibilities seemed annoyingly reasonable.
Su Bai looked forward.
He needed to be more careful.
But the gathering had still been successful.
Yue Cangyu had given him something to think about.
A teaching method.
Words were light. Experience was heavy.
That sentence remained in Su Bai’s mind.
Yue Cangyu had not lectured the young generation into cooperation. He had forced them to experience the need for cooperation.
As a teaching model, it was effective.
Su Bai silently noted it down.
If he ever had to teach someone in the future, he might not be able to copy the full method but the principle was useful.
Let people feel the lesson. Then explain the words.
The gathering had also served its purpose for Radiant Sky Sect.
At least now, if they met these people inside the Fallen-Star Sanctuary, they probably would not immediately fight.
That was already a victory.
Su Bai glanced at Liu Meng.
She had already exchanged several communication talismans with alchemists, Glass-Lotus disciples, and even a few people from Scorching Sun Valley.
Su Bai internally applauded her.
Meng was truly impressive. Even Yan Lie, who looked as if arrogance had been forged into his bones, had softened slightly when speaking to her.
In Su Bai’s previous life, people like Liu Meng were the ones who could calm angry clients, mediate between departments, and somehow make everyone feel they had been respected even after being rejected.
A true social expert.
Qin Baoshan had also become unexpectedly popular. Both male and female cultivators had approached him.
That was not strange.
Everyone had seen him block a Golden Core-level rotting beast while still at Foundation Establishment.
In a cultivation world, strength was attractive.
Reliability was even more attractive.
Qin Baoshan had both.
Several disciples had praised his shield technique. Qin Baoshan had answered every compliment seriously, as if receiving military orders.
That sincerity made people respect him even more.
Han Yuelin had gotten along well with the sword cultivators.
Once someone asked about the Sloth Sword, Han Yuelin had become energetic enough to scare three disciples into taking notes.
He spoke about delayed intent, minimum movement, hidden momentum, and the joy of cutting before the enemy realized the sword had moved.
Then he had laughed and asked whether anyone wanted to compare sword intent.
Several sword cultivators had accepted.
Several regretted accepting.
Ji Ruyue was different.
Most male cultivators did not dare approach her. Those who tried usually stopped after meeting her eyes.
Her gaze carried the kind of coldness that made people remember unfinished regrets from childhood.
The female cultivators, however, admired her greatly. Especially after watching her freeze monster limbs with such precision during the trial.
A few even began calling her Big Sister.
Some were clearly older than her. But that did not stop them.
Ji Ruyue had listened expressionlessly.
When one female cultivator shyly asked if she could call her Big Sister Ji, Ji Ruyue had looked at her for three breaths, then said, "As you wish."
The girl had looked as if she had received an inheritance.
Su Bai had watched the scene silently.
The cultivation world was very strange.
But in fairness, his previous world had also been strange.
People simply wore different clothes while being strange.
As for Su Bai himself...
He had not felt like he was speaking to children this time.
That realization was subtle.
Before, he had often felt like an adult forced to deal with interns who had swords.
But after the trial, that feeling had weakened.
These people were young, proud, flawed, and sometimes childish.
But they were not useless.
They had real technique, real courage, and real foundation.
His mental age no longer gave him as much distance as before.
In the end, experience mattered.
And in this world, he was still lacking too much of it.
That was an unpleasant but useful realization.
...
Soon, the group reached Quiet Jade Inn.
Li Xuanzong was already waiting inside the courtyard.
When he saw them return, his gaze swept over each disciple.
Only after confirming none of them were injured did his expression ease.
"You all did well."
Qin Baoshan immediately cupped his hands.
"Sect Master."
Liu Meng and the others followed.
Li Xuanzong nodded.
"I have already heard some of what happened. Rest first. Stabilize your Qi. Do not cultivate too deeply tonight. Your bodies and minds just came out of a reflected domain. Even if there are no visible injuries, your spirit may still carry pressure."
The disciples answered.
"Yes, Sect Master."
...
That evening, Quiet Jade Inn gradually settled into silence.
But not for everyone.
Later that night, Lu Canghai returned.
His expression was grave.
The careless smile he usually wore was gone.
Li Xuanzong noticed immediately.
The two entered a private room.
Formation light rose around the walls.
Only after confirming the room was sealed did Lu Canghai speak.
"I spoke with Yue Cangyu."
Li Xuanzong’s expression sharpened.
"He told you something?"
"Some things."
Lu Canghai did not repeat everything.
Some matters involved restrictions.
Some were still uncertain.
Some, if spoken too carelessly, might bring more trouble than clarity.
But he told Li Xuanzong the parts that mattered.
Li Xuanzong’s expression changed again and again.
He had already known the Sanctuary was dangerous.
Every sect knew that.
But danger was one thing. A sealing structure connected to immortals was another.
When Lu Canghai said the Sanctuary might be related to the sealed immortal path, Li Xuanzong’s pupils contracted.
"The sealed immortal path..."
His voice became low.
"That is what Yue Cangyu suspects?"
"Suspects," Lu Canghai said. "He cannot confirm it."
Li Xuanzong fell silent.
The room became heavy.
For a long while, neither of them spoke.
Then Li Xuanzong slowly closed his eyes.
Lu Canghai noticed.
"What is it?"
Li Xuanzong did not answer immediately.
Finally, he opened his eyes.
"There is something I did not tell you."
Lu Canghai’s expression changed.
"What?"
Li Xuanzong looked at him.
"When Su Qingshan handed Su Bai to me, he said something."
The room became still.
Lu Canghai’s gaze sharpened.
"What did he say?"
Li Xuanzong’s voice was quiet.
"He said Su Bai might be the key to removing the seal on the path of ascension."
The air froze.
Lu Canghai did not move.
For several breaths, even his breathing seemed to stop.
Then his expression slowly changed.
Lu Canghai stared at him.
"You are telling me this now?"
Li Xuanzong did not avoid his gaze.
"Yes."
Lu Canghai’s face darkened.
"You kept this from me for six years?"
Li Xuanzong remained still.
"At that time, you were still injured," he said. "If I told you that the child placed in your care might be related to the sealed ascension path, what would you have done?"
Lu Canghai’s expression froze.
Li Xuanzong continued, "You would have worried more. Guarded him more tightly. Acted less naturally. Perhaps exposed more than you protected."
Lu Canghai did not answer.
He stared at him for a long time. Then he cursed under his breath.
Silence settled again.
Then Lu Canghai’s expression became serious.
"I have something to tell you as well."
Li Xuanzong’s eyes sharpened.
"About Disciple Su?"
"Yes."
Lu Canghai looked toward the sealed door, as if he could see through the walls to where Su Bai’s room was.
"My disciple will not be affected by Ashen-Blood Miasma."
Li Xuanzong’s expression changed.
Only slightly. But Lu Canghai saw it.
"You suspected."
Li Xuanzong said slowly, "I had suspicions."
Lu Canghai nodded.
"Yue Cangyu does not know this."
"He must not know yet," Li Xuanzong said immediately.
"I agree."
The two looked at each other.
For the first time that night, their thoughts aligned completely.
Su Bai’s abnormality could not be exposed casually.
Li Xuanzong’s fingers slowly tightened behind his back.
"If Disciple Su is unaffected by Ashen-Blood Miasma..."
Lu Canghai finished the thought.
"Then he may be able to go deeper than anyone else."
The room became silent.
The words were too heavy.
The deepest part of the Fallen-Star Sanctuary...
Su Bai might be able to reach it.