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Chapter 587: Divine Ascension Ceremony
🕑 Added 2025-04-25 00:00:17 +0000 UTCThe Primordial Realm, which had just settled down with the appearance of the demons, entered a boiling state once more. The Immortal Court did not make an announcement, but they sent out an invitation. Said invitation did not detail the contents of the event, but the name they gave for the event was thought-provoking enough.
The Divine Ascension Ceremony.
So, many forces who received an invitation immediately prepared their entourage. Those grand elders who were almost always in secluded cultivation stepped out in order to have a chance to peer at the mystery of divine ascension and hopefully increase their cultivation base.
Naturally, only first-rate forces had the honor of receiving the Immortal Court’s invitation. Second-rate forces and weaker forces did not even receive news, but rumors will always leak out. So, although not everyone knew about the Immortal Court’s ceremony, many in the Seamless immortal Realm knew about this monumental occasion.
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An immortal boat sailed out of the bewildering sea of clouds that shielded the Buzhou Immortal Island in the center of the Trinity Continent. Standing at the bow was a man who appeared to be in his early thirties, with a mature temperament and perpendicular posture.
He was He Yongli of the Monolith Sword Sect.
He Yongli had seen the entrance to the Immortal Court long ago, but back then, he had not yet become an immortal and the Immortal Court was still the Buzhou Immortal Court.
He had also changed since then. Back then, he was a spirited young man who dared to challenge the heavens. Even his older brother, who always surpassed him in everything, failed his Immortal Ascension Heavenly Tribulation, while he succeeded.
His older brother, He Luoli, didn’t die because he failed. Instead, he became an earth immortal and lived until the age of three thousand and six hundred. Even if He Yongli became a true immortal, the treasures he needed to extend his brother’s lifespan were out of his reach.
The best method was the longevity peaches produced by the Immortal Court, but they rarely released them outside. And those that appeared outside were swiftly snatched by immortal monarchs and emperors—cultivators far above him in influence and power.
Although he was saddened by his older brother’s death, it was a natural process of life. After his brother’s death, He Yongli once again focused on his cultivation.
But although he was considered a genius before he became an immortal, he was just an average true immortal. Among the true immortals, there were many who had better talent and even more exciting journeys than him. Especially among the immortal monarchs. There were even many who were not as talented as he was during their younger years, but gradually showed their potential once they reached a higher stage.
However, He Yongli was not willing to give up and tempered himself. The appearance of the demons was a big chance. Through many battles, he finally understood a complete worldly law over a thousand years ago and became the Monolith Sword Sect’s newest sword monarch.
He had reached a height millions of cultivators had to look up to, but in He Yongli’s mind, he would always see that figure.
Xi Tianyi.
Although so many years passed, The Nine Heavens Emperor’s name was still resounding. If not for any other reason than for the fact that he created the Xiyinet that became integral to the entire society of the Primordial Realm and its sphere of influence.
Just from the fact that He Yongli competed with the legendary figure was enough to make many people remember his name. Even if he lost, it did not change the respect the people had for him.
All because he lost.
He Yongli was naturally not satisfied. If it was because he won, he would be able to accept it even if he could not defeat the other party now. Just once, he wanted to defeat the other party. Even if he knew it was futile, it was at least a goal he could strive for.
Thanks to his lofty goal, He Yongli continued to make progress in both his comprehension of the law and his willpower.
‘I wonder if I’ll see Xi Tianyi this time?’ He Yongli thought. Although it was only in the privacy of his mind, he still wanted to call that man by his name. It was only a little rebellion of his heart. If he didn’t have this courage, how could he hope to catch up?
Regardless of the sword monarch’s thoughts, the Monolith Sword Sect’s immortal boat docked at the edge of the Buzhou Immortal Island. The passenger disembarked and walked toward the Mortal Severance Gate.
Once they arrived, the guards immediately came forward and greeted them. Not long later, an immortal monarch appeared to lead them toward their temporary abode on Rites Peak.
Although the immortal monarch did not show any overt arrogance, He Yongli could still ascertain his inner pride through his subconscious action. He didn’t think there was anything strange or wrong. It was common for people, even immortals, to take pride in the force they joined.
After arriving at the palace, He Yongli didn’t cultivate. He simply enjoyed himself. Although he pursued strength and worked constantly for his goal, he must balance it with sufficient rest. A bow that is taut forever will eventually break.
More importantly, He Yongli was adjusting his state of mind.
A few weeks later, He Yongli stepped out of the guest palace with the other monarchs. He was not at the forefront. That spot belonged to the grand elder of the Monolith Sword Sect.
The grand elder had actually neared the end of his lifespan, but through a stroke of luck, he managed to make a breakthrough and enter the Extremity Immortal Realm.
His willpower had already waned, but it still gave him tens of thousands of years of lifespan next. More importantly, as long as he could temper his will while eliminating his doppelgangers in other timelines, his willpower will increase.
Aside from spectating the divine ascension, the Monolith Sword Sect wanted to show off their immortal emperor and increase their influence. Not only would the demons retreat more, but they could also expand their territory.
However, they never expected that the Dust Veil Sect would also appear with an immortal emperor. Unluckily, the Dust Veil Sect was located near their west, meaning that they could only expand east. Future conflicts would also likely occur.
Thankfully, none of the other first-rate forces revealed another immortal emperor. The Monolith Sword Sect didn’t know if the other forces wanted to hide their trump cards, but the arrogance they grew after the sword emperor’s appearance diminished a lot.
Of the nine first-rate forces from when the Primordial Realm was still the Huang Realm, only four remained: the Monolith Sword Sect, the Dust Veil Sect, the Bright Ascension Sect, and Boundless Mountain.
Nothing needed to be said of the Drifting Feather Sect and Five Element Sect that were part of the Anti-Heaven Alliance. Not to mention that the strongest force of their alliance, the Cloud Goddess Sect, was actually led by an insider of the Immortal Court. It would be strange if they survived.
The Leakless Sect that founded the Tripartite Alliance was naturally destroyed. Like the Anti-Heaven Alliance, the Nihility Sect and Jade Cauldron Sect were both traitors on the side of the Buzhou Immortal Sect.
The Nihility Sect dissolved and became the Immortal Court’s shadow division, responsible for assassination, surveillance, and intelligence gathering. The Jade Cauldron Sect merged with the Pill Department, while most of the Cloud Goddess Cult merged with the Cultivator Alliance.
The Monolith Sword Sect paid attention to the Dust Veil Sect, while He Yongli paid attention to a powerful sword immortal. Just from a quick glance, He Yongli knew that the other party’s sword skills far eclipsed his. He judged them to be a sword emperor.
Not only that, the sword emperor wasn’t alone. He led an entourage full of sword immortals. Clearly, they were part of some powerful force that focused on the sword path.
However, He Yongli couldn’t match them with any known forces of the Primordial Realm. He didn’t have much time to observe, though.
He Yongli and the other members of the Monolith Sword Sect were led to a section in the newly constructed palace of the Immortal Court, the Divine Ascension Palace. Just from the name, even an idiot would know what it was used for.
The area near the center of the hall was occupied by members of the Immortal Court. Then it was guests from the Cultivator Alliance. Only then were first-rate forces like the Monolith Sword Sect given seats.
They and the Dust Veil Sects were better. The two had immortal emperors, so they were in the front of the other first-rate forces. It was followed by old forces like the Bright Ascension Sect or Boundless Mountain. Behind them were the newly risen first-rate forces.
Normally, first-rate forces like them could summon wind and rain at their beck and call—especially since the Immortal Court has become increasingly hands off and transcendent.
Here? They were nothing more than witnesses.
The air was solemn, sacred even. In this atmosphere, most immortals found themselves holding their breath.
The person presiding over the ceremony was a familiar figure, the Immortal Minister of Appointment Everpast. The first time, it was Xia Meng, but through the years, the Primordial Realm was invisibly influenced by this immortal minister. Mortals might not know, but immortals like them knew how far-reaching each decision Minister Everpast made was.
Unlike the Immortal Official Conferment Ceremony, there were not many people that needed to be named. Only one. So, it didn’t take long for all the people in the hall to focus on the immortal that stepped through.
The immortal that appeared exuded the aura of an emperor, but he was a completely unknown face. This shocked the guests present. The sudden appearance of so many powerful immortals already shocked all forces during the Immortal Official Conferment Ceremony. This new immortal emperor made the Immortal Court even more unfathomable.
Just how many reserves of immortals or sovereigns did the Immortal Court have? Even if this new immortal had only recently ascended, they couldn’t link his face to any known monarchs. In the end, they could not estimate how many hidden forces the Immortal Court had. Some even suspected that the Immortal Court could overwhelm all other forces in terms of numbers alone.
Minister Everpast cared not for their shock. He cared more about the envoys from the Numinous Sword Sect.
The leader of the entourage was Emperor Southsword—or rather, former emperor. Some time after Divinity Yanxu’s divine sermon, Emperor Southsword became Sovereign Southsword.
This surprised Minister Everpast and many others. The biggest reason was that it meant Sovereign Southsword had eliminated all of his doppelgangers in other timelines. After the primordial era, this criterion became the biggest hurdle for many immortal emperors.
Just as the Immortal Court was making progress, the Numinous Sword Sect did not halt either.
However, Minister Everpast did not dwell on the matter for now. He summoned the immortal emperor forward. After some embellishment, he asked the critical question.
“Emperor Zao, are you willing to take the mantle of the Kitchen God and assume the corresponding duties?”
“I am willing to assume the mantle and protect all my believers!” Emperor Zao said.
Minister Everpast nodded. “Good.”
A scroll appeared in the immortal minister’s grasp. It was the same scroll Grand Elder Xia held, but unlike the decrepit scroll full of stains from before. The current scroll appeared almost restored. The pages were still yellow with brown lines tainting it, but it didn’t look like it would crumble into dust anymore at the slightest touch.
The scroll exuded a brilliant and solemn light that filled the hall. Not just the hall. The light streamed past the walls of the Divine Ascension Palace and even the entire Buzhou Immortal Island. It only stopped when it dyed the entire sky of the Primordial Realm.
Sovereign Southsword was familiar with this scene, as it reminded him of when Sovereign Yanxu underwent apotheosis. Although the phenomenon wasn’t as powerful, it was still shocking nonetheless.
Immortal Emperor Zao’s aura surged, growing past the limits of an immortal emperor. Countless golden strands appeared out of thin air and entwined him. They weren’t binding him, but ascending him. They were golden strands condensed out of pure faith energy.
Accompanying those strands of faith were the devout prayers of all those who believed in the Kitchen God. Most of them merged with Emperor Zao, but a portion split off and manifested into a golden hearth. Just looking at it made people feel as if they were gazing into the purest Law of Fire.
During olden times, the hearth was the center of the home. Family gathering was centered on it, and cooking was done in it, too. It was only with time that the stove separated from the hearth.
Simultaneously, all the idols depicting the Kitchen God morphed into the visage of Emperor Zao.
Among the spectators was the Cloud Goddess. She had undergone the same process, but it was far from as grand, nor did she gain as much improvement. She wasn’t too envious. Thanks to the increase of believers throughout the Primordial Realm and myriad lower realms, her strength had long grown. The newly ascended Kitchen God was far from her opponent.
The entire transformation took nine days. When it was over, the Immortal Court invited everyone to a banquet to celebrate the birth of the new Kitchen God.
He Yongli sighed in amazement at the means of the Immortal Court. He was also amazed that the Immortal Court actually used longevity peaches to entertain guests. Although he had become an immortal monarch, he was still only a first-step monarch, and his power did not allow him to get longevity peaches.
Still, he did not care too much. His close family, like his elder brother, had long returned to dust.
Another pensive immortal was Sovereign Southsword. In contrast to He Yongli, he was thinking about if the Numinous Sword Sect could also confer divinities using faith. They might not be able to replicate the Immortal Court’s ease, but they still ruled over many realms, and it would only take some preparation to concentrate all the faith.
The guests left the Immortal Court after the banquet, each with their own thoughts. But that had nothing to do with Tianyi. He had also joined the excitement, but he soon lost interest because Daoyi reached the Extremity Immortal Realm.
Comments
Zaim İpek
Ooh, I'm very looking forward to Empress Daoyi. With her Law of Life and Death, she should instantly become one of the stronger Extremity Immortals in the entire sect.
Zaim İpek
Another good one that would rapidly gain followers is a god of wealth, and they already have a perfect candidate with Moneybags.
StarSmith
Last chapter you said they could have three faith Gods if so, the other two that would quickly gain a lot of faith and would remain popular, would be a god of agriculture (mortals need to eat), and a God of medicine/healing
