Chapter 199: Ascension Ceremony · Boundary Sea · Boat Ticket

Chapter 199: Ascension Ceremony · Boundary Sea · Boat Ticket

"Xiao Chen, why the sudden decision to leave?"

Mingyan Zhenren furrowed his brow slightly. "I’ve been contemplating this for days—next month’s mid-month period has an extremely auspicious day. It’d be perfect for holding your ascension ceremony."

"With junior sect brother’s reputation, we could invite all the cultivators from Hezhou."

"Let’s make it a grand, unprecedented celebration!"

Naturally, another crucial purpose of the ascension ceremony was to allow newly ascended Golden Core cultivators to collect spirit stones, alleviating their financial strain.

Many cultivators, desperate to gather resources for Golden Core Formation, often ended up bankrupt or drowning in debt. With no spare funds, they couldn’t even afford materials for crafting spiritual artifacts.

However, Xiao Chen was an exception. Generous contributions from fellow cultivators at Cangyan Sect had granted him a massive influx of spirit stones—several times more than other Golden Core Zhenren typically received.

Moreover, gathering everyone together would take at least half a month, potentially delaying his journey to the forbidden realm.

After considering this, Xiao Chen declined politely: "I truly appreciate senior sect brother’s kindness, but let’s skip the ceremony. Now that the war has just ended, extravagance would be inappropriate."

Mingyan Zhenren blinked thoughtfully: "Junior sect brother makes a valid point. Then we could still hold a modest event."

"Mainly to showcase Lihuo Sect’s strength to outsiders. Many in Hezhou still don’t know us well—this is a great opportunity to raise our reputation."

Yun Xiang Zhenren nodded in agreement: "Senior Mingyan’s idea is excellent."

"Besides, with the demonic calamity resolved, a celebration would boost the morale of our disciples."

"We can be flexible with the timing. Isn’t there an auspicious day this month?"

Mingyan Zhenren suddenly slapped his forehead: "Ah, my memory! The end of this month is also an auspicious day—I completely forgot!"

"To accommodate our Hezhou guests, let’s set the location at Great River Valley. It’s scenic, nestled by mountains and rivers."

Great River Valley lay at the easternmost edge of Li Prefecture, near a vast river, a barren mountain, and riverside badlands.

Xiao Chen felt uneasy about the location, but Mingyan Zhenren confidently guaranteed: "Just give me two days—I’ll build a ten-mile-long street from nothing. We’ll mobilize all our sect’s rammed earth construction cultivators. We can even delay the repairs at Lihuo Sect and Cangyan Mountain."

With their enthusiastic persuasion, Xiao Chen relented. After all, the end of the month was only four days away—what difference would a few days make?

Surprisingly, the Six Great Families also enthusiastically supported the event. This included Xiong Clan from Cangyan Sect and Yun Clan from Sihai Sect.

Yun Jinghang, head of Yunfan Trading House, actively assisted Lihuo Sect in recruiting disciples from Sihai Sect. Particularly promising older cultivators were placed under Yunfan’s banner but trained by Lihuo Sect instructors. Thus, the Yun Clan was formally accepted as allies by Mingyan Zhenren.

Xiao Chen stayed busy too, reorganizing his storage bags. He used four bags for spirit stones and Spirit Herbs, and two for magic and spiritual artifacts.

"Wait, there’s a pair of Spirit Tortoise Eggs here?"

Halfway through packing, he realized he’d overlooked them. Truthfully, he’d been too preoccupied with Golden Core Formation to deal with them. Now it was July—the hatching period had likely passed.

"Should I just eat them?"

Following his no-waste principle, Xiao Chen set up a pot for boiled eggs. He also rediscovered a pair of Pearls of Fu, originally intended to enhance his Truth-Seeing Spirit Eye but neglected due to time constraints.

While waiting for the ceremony, he could refine these rarely used spells.

"How do I eat these? Swallow them whole?"

After pondering, he decided: "Later, I’ll catch a fish and make a stew."

Though these Pearls of Fu came from a young Red-Crested Crane, each weighed about a jin. Pairing them with spirit fish would make a hearty broth.

He headed to Nanhu Lake and caught a thirty-six-jin carp, creating a Spirit Tortoise Egg and Pearl of Fu fish soup.

Unlike his usual Body Cultivation haste, he now leisurely sipped the broth from a small bowl, savoring its rich aroma.

One spoonful revealed an exquisite flavor, and his Truth-Seeing Spirit Eye advanced to the Minor Mastery Realm.

Now, without conscious effort, he could perceive spiritual energy flows by simply focusing his gaze.

"Knock knock knock!"

As Xiao Chen lounged in the courtyard, enjoying his soup and sunshine, urgent knocking interrupted him.

Shen Simyue entered with a report: "Master, there’s an urgent update from Chu Mo Dian."

"After investigation by Spirit Origin Sect, Chu Mo Dian’s manager Ye Fei colluded secretly with Han Ziyan, a disciple from a demonic sect."

"During Spirit Origin Sect’s arrest of Han Ziyan, Ye Fei assaulted the law enforcement team. Both have fled toward Quanzhou. Here’s the wanted notice from Spirit Origin Sect."

She handed over a portrait—Ye Fei and Han Ziyan’s lifelike half-body sketches.

"Additionally, a solitary cultivator at Hezhou’s border reportedly saw Miao Yuqing, the supervisor, and Song Shengying’s heir Song Fengbo traveling with Ye Fei."

She presented two more portraits: "Spirit Origin Sect requests our help confirming their identities."

Song Shengying was Song Family’s heir, a recent Foundation Building cultivator.

Xiao Chen glanced at the portraits. Though he recognized only Miao Yuqing, the intelligence seemed reliable.

"Tsk tsk tsk. How to put this?"

"Forward the wanted notice to Chu Mo Dian. Handle it through standard procedures."

Since they’d already fled, he’d pretend nothing happened—post the notices publicly but avoid chasing across prefectures.

"Best of luck to Spirit Origin Sect", he mused.

Xiao Chen planned to head to the Eastern Territory after the ceremony in two days. He even asked Lin Ping An to join.

The Eastern Territory teemed with forbidden realms and ruins. Lin’s expertise in decree talismans and sealing formations could prove invaluable.

Unfortunately, Lin Ping An hesitated: "Master Xiao, my cultivation is weak—I can barely protect myself."

"If danger arises on the road, I’d only be a burden."

"I’d prefer to cultivate here for a few more years. I won’t venture out until I breakthrough to Golden Core Late Stage."

His expression turned wistful when mentioning Golden Core Late Stage.

The Southern Domain’s sparse spiritual energy and scarce Spirit Herbs made Nascent Soul Formation nearly impossible without seeking resources elsewhere.

Xiao Chen didn’t press him. While he had Night’s Blade, Lin Ping An didn’t. The Eastern Territory swarmed with Golden Core cultivators, Golden Core Zhenren, and even Fourth Stage Yao Beasts. Guaranteeing Lin’s safety was risky.

Besides, relying on others wasn’t sustainable.

Xiao Chen remembered an Introduction to Formation Dao in his storage bag. Now a Golden Core, he could dabble in formation arts.

The journey ahead was long—learning formation techniques along the way would be both practical and enriching.

Before he knew it, the ascension ceremony day arrived.

Mingyan Zhenren hadn’t exaggerated—within three days, he’d built a ten-mile street across the badlands, complete with bridges, flowing streams, and plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum gardens.

Nearly all Foundation Building cultivators and Golden Core Zhenren from Li Prefecture and Hezhou gathered for this unprecedented event.

Though many had perished in the demonic calamity, the combined attendance from two prefectures was staggering.

"Senior Qiu, Chang senior, you found time to come too?"

Chang Clan’s presence was expected, but Xiao Chen recalled Qiu Clan had taken over Demon-Slaying Hall after Pan Clan’s fall. Shouldn’t they be busy hunting Ye Fei?

Qiu Qichen bowed: "This ascension ceremony celebrates Senior Xiao’s Golden Core attainment. How could we miss such a pivotal event?"

"Nothing outweighs this occasion."

In truth, he’d grown close to Chang Shunping recently, focusing on raising earth-storing spirit tortoises. Taking Demon-Slaying Hall was merely a power grab, not a moral crusade.

Thus, while Qiu Clan vocally supported Ye Fei’s capture, they’d taken no real action.

Learning the ceremony date, they’d even recalled all personnel to attend.

Yang Clan had done the same—dispatching messengers to spread the wanted notice but little else.

What a spectacle! The ascension ceremony had become a distraction, drawing attention away.

Xiao Chen felt Ye Fei owed him a favor.

A nine-story pavilion stood at the ceremony’s center.

The auction tradition continued downstairs, while Xiao Chen stayed upstairs.

The view from above was undeniably superior.

At noon, the gathered cultivators respectfully retreated.

Thousands soared into the sky, sword beams crisscrossing, their spiritual energy creating miniature mana tides.

Then, the Three Great Sects led the chorus of congratulations.

"Spirit Origin Sect, Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, Wan Hua Valley, and Qianzhu Workshop rejoice—Yanlong Zhenren has ascended to Golden Core!"

The True Yang Fire Dragon’s spectacle had been too overwhelming. The title "Yanlong Zhenren" (Fire Dragon Zhenren) had supplanted "Wind Thunder Zhenren" in common usage.

Today’s ceremony officially cemented this name.

Henceforth, no new Golden Core cultivator could claim this title. Whenever cultivators mentioned Yanlong Zhenren, everyone would instantly recognize it as a reference specifically to Xiao Chen.

This event would be recorded in sect annals and countless Southern Domain cultivators’ memoirs. As long as these records endured, the title would live on.

As per tradition, every visiting cultivator presented a Spirit Herb worth no less than one thousand spirit stones as a gift. This time, however, many families intentionally upgraded the value of their gifts. These items were quickly sent to the auction house. After all, Xiao Chen had no intention of carrying a bunch of low-tier Spirit Herbs on his journey—converting them into spirit stones made more sense. While rummaging through his storage bag, he also retrieved several items for auction: mainly millennium sword bamboo, two premium Flying Swords, six foundation building pills, and six nanhua huangzhu.

Truth be told, he still had leftover blazing light spirit sand. But he’d heard that specialty materials like spirit sand fetched better prices in the Eastern Territory, so he decided to hold onto them for now. The auction proceeded smoothly without any incidents. Xiao Chen chatted casually with other Golden Core Zhenren about rumors and anecdotes. Eventually, they learned that Zhong Family from Wan Hua Valley had placed the highest bid—88,888 spirit stones!

“What a lucky number! Congratulations to Fellow Cultivator Yanlong on future prosperity!” Lei Yin Zhenren laughed, raising his cup. The others quickly followed with their own well-wishes. No one discussed the specific auctioned items—everyone knew the number alone was what mattered.

“Xiao Chen, great news!” Mingyan Zhenren rushed over after the ceremony, beaming. “You’ll never guess how many spirit stones we sold!”

“Exactly 666,666!”

“This means your journey ahead will surely be smooth sailing, Junior Sect Brother!”

Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow. “That many sixes? Seems… convenient.”

After five consecutive eights, six sixes felt suspiciously deliberate.

“Coincidence! Here’s the ledger.” Mingyan Zhenren handed him a record book. Xiao Chen flipped through the entries, noticing the final items were all purchased by a Hezhou cultivator—making the total a perfect 666,666. The fake ledger was meticulously crafted, almost convincingly authentic.

“Well then, I’ll borrow Senior Sect Brother’s good words and enjoy a bit of my own luck,” Xiao Chen said, pocketing the book without further scrutiny.

To carry all the spirit stones, he added two more storage bags to his waist. Now, eight bags hung heavily around his hips, bulging with treasures. Xiao Chen felt his need for storage rings skyrocketing. This wasn’t sustainable—he’d need to adjust his plans. Upon reaching the Eastern Territory, his first priority would be finding a merchant selling Storage Rings. If one was nearby, he’d buy it immediately before heading to the Bai Cao Forbidden Realm. Otherwise, he’d have nowhere to store any Spirit Herbs he harvested there.

After the Ascension Ceremony, Xiao Chen decided not to return to Qiyun Peak but head straight to the Eastern Territory. Before departing, Shen Simyue approached him.

“Master, Junior Sect Sister Su asked me to deliver this sachet.”

The pouch was modestly stitched—better than the previous peace amulet but clearly handmade by Su Wanning. The front depicted a carp leaping over lotus blossoms; the back showed blooming tianluo stars. Stuffed with fragrant spices, it carried a faint scent of camellia flowers.

“No wonder I haven’t seen her lately. Do you know what she’s been up to?”

“She’s been in seclusion at home, focusing on cultivation. She said… she won’t emerge until she reaches the Golden Core Stage.”

The journey from the Southern Domain to the Eastern Territory spanned millions of kilometers. At Xianghe Bazaar, Xiao Chen stopped to buy Rolling Pearl Spirit Rice for the road.

“How much Spirit Rice do you need, Fellow Cultivator?”

“Take the whole bag. How much spirit stones?”

“Just 1,200 spirit stones, please.”

“This is only 200 kilograms! Has it gone up in price?”

“Please don’t misunderstand, Fellow Cultivator! Prices are rising everywhere,” the shopkeeper hurriedly explained. “It’s all the White Bone Demon Body’s fault—ruined countless spirit fields. After this bag, we’ll be out of stock.”

“Thankfully, Yanlong Zhenren intervened in time to save Yan’an Granary. Otherwise, we’d have sold out days ago.”

The Demon Calamity had ended, but its ripple effects were just beginning for ordinary cultivators. Xiao Chen paid generously and continued his journey without further stops, occasionally admiring the scenery until reaching Haozhou—the easternmost region of the Southern Domain.

There, he beheld the endless Boundary Sea. Standing on the shore, it was hard to imagine an even vaster landmass lying hundreds of thousands of kilometers beyond. Ancient records told of Southern Domain cultivators who once sailed eastward. After exploring tens of thousands of kilometers without finding land, they concluded the world ended in ocean. The Boundary Sea’s countless yao beasts attacking spiritual vessels forced them to turn back. Even Golden Core Zhenren couldn’t fly nonstop for months—their true mana would deplete, requiring meditative recovery. With no resting spots in the open sea, cultivators relied on spiritual vessels, protecting them from yao beasts.

Eventually, Eastern Territory cultivators crossed the Boundary Sea to the Southern Domain. Initial encounters erupted into fierce battles, but invaders soon realized the Southern Domain’s spiritual energy was too thin to be worth conquering. Trade replaced war. Initially, only Golden Core Zhenren participated, but over millions of years, the Southern Domain developed organized routes. Now, Fu Hai Sect cultivators escorted vessels carrying passengers across the Boundary Sea.

Xiao Chen flew leisurely along the coast, salty winds in his face. Sunset painted the waves golden, contrasting the deep blue sea. After 300 kilometers, he spotted the massive spiritual vessel anchored at Dongdu Bay.

The vessel stretched 100 zhang long, dominating the bay like a floating island. Its hull shimmered with faint spiritual light—every plank crafted from premium second-tier spirit wood. The deck featured a landscape of towers, cabins, and two elegant pavilions. At its center stood a thirty-zhang mast glowing obsidian-blue, with a colossal formation flag fluttering above. Layers of runes pulsed rhythmically across the flag, as if it were breathing.

This was Fu Hai, the legendary vessel carrying over a thousand cultivators across the Boundary Sea. Named to symbolize subduing the sea, its true power lay in the third-tier composite formation—three defense formations, one entrapment, and one killing array. In theory, even a Golden Core yao beast would fall to it. In practice, avoiding yao beasts altogether was preferable. Packs of third-tier yao beasts roamed the depths, and activating the formation drained spirit stones—costs Fu Hai Sect passed to passengers. The first activation was “free,” included in the 4,200 spirit stones ticket price.

“Fellow Cultivator, are you departing across the Boundary Sea?” A Fu Hai Sect cultivator approached as Xiao Chen flew near. “How many passengers?”

Before finishing, the cultivator froze. Initially hundreds of zhang apart, he now stood within a hundred zhang—but couldn’t sense Xiao Chen’s cultivation realm.

“Junior Fan Hongyu’s eyes narrowed. ‘My apologies, Senior! I failed to recognize your status. Please forgive my rudeness!’”

“Please, Senior, tell me how I may assist.”

Xiao Chen glanced at him. Quick reflexes. “You’re Fu Hai Sect staff? How much for a ticket?”

“I’m Manager Fan Hongyu. One ticket costs 4,200 spirit stones.”

A steep price—enough for two superior-grade magic artifacts. Most Foundation Building cultivators couldn’t afford one.

“Senior, we’ve sold 284 tickets so far. We’ll depart before the New Year if we reach 300, or by the 16th day of the first lunar month regardless.”

“Even if we’re short?”

“We must also transport Spirit Herbs for Jin Xia Sect. Departure is fixed.”

“I need sixteen tickets. Earliest departure?”

Fan Hongyu’s breath hitched. Sixteen tickets—67,200 spirit stones. This wasn’t a Fellow Cultivator; this was a Golden Core Zhenren!

“Ah—Golden Core Zhenren, please follow me to Zhenhai Pavilion. No ticket needed—my Sect Master’s orders!”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end