Original subtitles

♪Chasing wind, I set out afar♪

♪The road ahead lost, my voice unheard♪

♪I've tasted joy and sorrow♪

♪Laying low, I plan every move♪

♪With a mortal heart and lingering ties♪

♪I'm roaming far and wide♪

♪A twist of fate in desperate times♪

♪A bond that outlives the dust of life♪

♪Still chasing what immortality means♪

♪Even eternity flashes by in a blink♪

♪Don't mock my ordinary life♪

♪I fight alone as chaos shakes the world♪

♪Don't scorn my humble roots♪

♪Kind at heart, ruthless when I must be♪

♪Fate stirs with joy and grief beneath♪

♪I hold the tide between life and death♪

♪Faith carries me through endless dark♪

♪And I return with a heart refined♪

♪Forged by trial, I rise through three realms♪

♪Reborn in the wheel of fate♪

[The Immortal Ascension]

[Adapted from the webnovel, The Immortal Ascension by Wangyu]

[serialized in www.qidian.com under China Literature Limited]

[Episode 6]

I paid the right price

for the right thing.

That's what a fair deal should be.

Fine.

Then let me show you

what fairness really means!

Senior Lu,

that fragment of a magic item is dispensable anyway.

The spirit root test is coming up.

Better not stir up trouble.

All right.

Since you spoke up,

I'll back off.

Kid,

you won't be so lucky next time.

Let's go!

These clan disciples

really are arrogant.

Thanks for stepping in just now.

I'm Han Yunzhi.

What's your name?

Han Li.

Li,

are you also here for the spirit root test?

It's about to begin.

Let's go together.

Sure.

[Ye Fei from Yellow Maple Valley]

Fellow cultivators,

this round of the trials is hosted by our Moonshadow Sect,

on behalf of the Seven Sects.

As long as you pass the spirit root test...

Han!

- Over here! - ...you'll have a chance

to be accepted into any sect.

If your talent is exceptional...

I thought you almost missed it.

...you might even receive

invitations from several sects at once.

Then, the candidates get to choose

where they want to go.

Han,

you all right?

Listen.

In the cultivation world,

there's a clear hierarchy.

Low-level cultivators must not look directly at those above them.

That one up there

is a grandmaster at Core Formation Stage.

Never stare at her like that. Got it?

So that's a Core Formation cultivator.

Yeah.

The slots are limited,

so make the most of this chance.

Yan Ruyan.

Wood element.

Heavenly spirit root.

Passed.

Heavenly spirit root!

- She has a heavenly spirit root! - That's amazing!

She's worthy of the heiress of the Yan Clan.

Looks like it won't be long

before Yue Kingdom gains another Core Formation expert!

[Seven Sects' invitations] All seven sects want her!

She's incredible!

I choose the Moonshadow Sect.

[Moonshadow Sect]

They say the Moonshadow Sect

is the strongest of the Seven Sects currently.

[Treasure Girl]

You blind fool!

How dare you steal from me?

It's just a trial.

Don't let it turn deadly!

Leave it at that.

Fire-wood-element dual spirit root.

Passed.

I choose the Moonshadow Sect!

Later,

I'm going with Moonshadow too.

Which one will you choose, Han?

I'm good with any sect.

I choose Yellow Maple Valley!

I pick Clear Void Sect!

I'm choosing Yellow Maple Valley!

I'm going with Spirit Beast Mountain!

I'm picking Giant Sword Sect!

Brother!

I'm dying...

You okay, brother?

Brother!

Water-fire-earth-element triple spirit root.

Passed.

Put him here.

Be careful.

It's okay.

He's still alive.

You weren't accepted by the Seven Sects.

Rejected.

What?

Why is he rejected?

Why didn't they take me?

What do I lack compared to them?

So this is your so-called fairness,

Seven Sects?

You truly forgot what you did?

I grabbed it!

Metal-water-fire-earth-element quad spirit root.

Rejected.

Han,

it's all up to you now!

Kid,

it's not your turn yet.

He's way too cocky.

Looks like your spirit root must be trash.

That guy holds a grudge.

How can trash like him exist in the cultivation world?

Wind-element variant spirit root.

Passed.

I choose Yellow Maple Valley!

How boring.

That was too easy!

Qiaoqian.

Water-earth-element dual spirit root.

Passed.

Another one made it.

I pick Yellow Maple Valley.

Now give him the orb.

Wood-water-fire-earth-element quad spirit root.

Rejected.

Rogue cultivators always get rejected.

With a fake spirit root, yet dare show up here?

How shameless!

Totally shameless!

Embarrassing!

Wood-earth-element dual spirit root.

Passed.

Han.

We're up next!

I choose Spirit Beast Mountain!

This is the final cultivator

to pass the test today.

Didn't expect it.

We're both outcasts now.

No need to feel down, everyone.

There's still the tournament at Tianwu Arena!

The tournament?

Will that even help?

Even if we fight,

as rogue cultivators,

going up against those clan kids

raised on elixirs since birth,

what chance do we have?

Are we rogue cultivators

doomed to always be trampled by them?

I can't just swallow this!

They keep talking about the same stuff.

Still,

there might be another way.

I happen to have a clever plan.

But...

I'll need everyone's help.

What plan, Sir?

We can't wait. Just spit it out!

Sir, please tell us!

No more teasing.

Mr. Wan,

if we run into each other on the arena,

how do you think you'd fare?

Sir, you're really joking.

Your cultivation is way above mine.

Of course I'd lose.

Then...

what if I lend you

this horsetail whisk?

It's a mid-grade artifact.

Well...

I might have a fifty-fifty chance.

What if I also lend you

this treasure?

Then...

maybe...

Oh,

I'd have a seventy percent chance!

Great.

In the cultivation world,

battles aren't just about power.

They also rely on artifacts,

talismans,

and pills.

In terms of strength and techniques,

we can't compete

with those arrogant clan disciples.

But there's one thing we have

that they don't,

unity.

If our Azure Vein Society had a hundred rogue cultivators,

and each one

was willing to contribute a treasure,

then we'd have

a hundred treasures in our hands!

With that many treasures,

even if we're facing

Foundation Establishment cultivators,

we might

still stand a chance.

Absolutely!

I'm willing to lend my mid-grade whisk

for everyone to use.

Qingwen...

Since I brought this up,

it's only right I set the example.

I've said before.

The reason I founded the Azure Vein Society

was to build a world

where all cultivators are equal.

We'll show those clan kids

that rogue cultivators like us

are no less than any of them!

Yes!

- Yes! - Right!

We're not weaker than them!

They're nothing special!

See?

You can't go wrong following this sir!

I know,

even with all these treasures,

not everyone here

will walk away victorious.

But as long as we give it our all,

even if we lose,

we'll make those clan disciples see

we rogue cultivators

won't be pushed around!

We won't be pushed around!

We won't be pushed around!

Sir,

even though I lack talent,

I still want

to contribute something!

Good!

Then,

those who want to help,

come with me!

All right!

Let's go!

Yes!

I'll contribute what I can!

Take mine!

- Take mine! - Here you go!

Take mine!

So that's their plan all along.

Mr. Han,

would you be willing to help?

After hearing what you said,

I've lost interest

in joining the Seven Sects.

I won't join the tournament

at Tianwu Arena.

My friend,

this is our best chance

to make a name for ourselves!

Yeah, a golden opportunity!

- Right! - Totally!

Do your part!

Looks like I can't leave today

without bleeding a little.

If you've got treasures,

bring them out and share!

All right.

I happened

to come across

a restorative pill.

I planned to keep it for myself.

But under the circumstances,

I'll share it with everyone.

Much appreciated, Mr.!

That's a good one.

Ugh, my stomach hurts.

I need to take a quick break.

You guys keep chatting.

Han!

You...

You're fine?

I'm fine now.

Xiaoshan,

Are you here to talk me

into joining the Azure Vein Society?

Of course not.

But,

aren't you planning to join

the Tianwu Arena tournament

and win yourself a Foundation Pill?

The Seven Sects are great,

but I gotta stay alive first.

I knew it, Han.

You're not one to go in blind.

Well,

you weren't joining the fight.

So why'd you still

share your treasure?

Just trying to win us rogues a little respect.

Xiaoshan.

I can't shake the feeling that those guys

aren't as simple as they look.

With your kind of naivety,

you'll get burned.

No way!

All rogue cultivators are one big family!

You're overthinking it, Han.

With what we saved up earlier,

we've got thirty-eight artifacts now.

Qingwen,

why not take all this

and run off now?

No can do.

The barrier at the Tainan Bazaar

won't lift until the tournament is over.

We can't leave yet.

If those rogue cultivators

give up their treasures willingly,

that's ideal.

If not...

Don't worry, Sir!

If they won't,

I'll be the first to...

Yeah,

we won't spare them!

How many times do I have to say it?

Stop talking about fighting and killing

all the time!

Get up.

Yes, Sir.

Step back.

Li!

I finally found you!

What is it now?

I've got more talismans here.

I want to trade for more pills.

Would that be okay?

I've got Strength Boost Talismans,

and Freezing Talismans.

These are offensive.

These ones are defensive.

This Vajra Talisman is amazing!

It can block

a full-force strike from a tenth-level Qi Refiner!

What about this one?

This is a Thunderfire Talisman.

It hits with both lightning and fire at once.

Look!

Maybe...

I'll get you two brand new ones.

That's weird.

I followed the book's instructions exactly.

Li,

how about

these two?

I guarantee

they're top quality.

These two...

Miss Han,

why do you need pills so urgently?

I want to cure my brother's illness.

Sorry,

but your talismans

are not very useful

to me.

Still,

if you've got

cinnabar and talisman paper,

I might be interested.

You want to make talismans yourself?

Then you'll

definitely need this!

This one

is a Golden Bamboo Brush.

The tip

is made from the tail hair of a Level 2 demon beast.

The shaft

is forged from black iron mixed with refined gold.

It was crafted using secret techniques

by a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

This is a must-have tool for talisman making!

A true rarity!

You're really selling it to me?

Honestly...

it's a family heirloom.

But as you can see,

I'm terrible

at making talismans.

So this brush

is pretty much wasted

on me.

How much are you asking?

Two bottles of pills.

How about that?

I'll even throw in

these talismans, ink,

and this Talisman Compendium.

[Talisman Compendium]

Deal.

Li!

I also have a Clear Stream Note.

It's got all sorts of funny stories

from the cultivation world.

I've read it already.

If you get bored,

maybe it'll help pass the time.

[Clear Stream Note]

I was hoping to learn more anyway.

Thanks.

"Anyone holding an Ascension Token

can skip testing and join a sect,

and even get a Foundation Pill."

What's an Ascension Token?

[Token]

Han!

Let's go check out the Tianwu Arena!

I heard

the sects have prepared

a bunch of rewards this time

to attract more participants.

The winner gets a Foundation Pill

and a ton of gems and techniques.

Xiaoshan,

I got a book

with all sorts of cultivation oddities.

Not sure if they're true.

Want to check it out together?

Sure!

Come over.

Clear Stream Note?

What's this?

Looks like

a token from some sect.

That's not just any token.

Look at the writing on it.

Ascension Token...

Ascension Token?

What's that?

The Ascension Token

is for...

They say...

Well, I heard,

if you hold

an Ascension Token,

you don't have to fight,

don't have to take the spirit root test,

you get straight into any of the Seven Sects.

Is that true?

Nonsense!

If that were true,

everyone would be fighting over this token.

Who'd bother risking their lives at the tournament?

Exactly.

Sounds like a made-up story.

Grandmaster,

you were right.

Several clan disciples

have reported their tokens stolen.

The Azure Vein Society never quit causing trouble,

even hit during the entrance test.

What should we do now?

So those rogue cultivators' missing

is really linked to them.

And now they're pinning it on the clan disciples.

Once the Tianwu Arena tournament ends,

let's arrest them all.

Yes, Grandmaster.

Looks like

this Ascension Token

is tied to Yellow Maple Valley.

Yellow Maple Valley...

They say it's one of the top sects

among the Seven.

What luck!

Nothing left to worry about now.

Charging in knowing you'll lose?

You think you're worthy of this Foundation Pill?

I've waited for this day

for decades.

You clan kid,

don't get cocky!

Who is this Qingwen?

Why does he have so many treasures?

Is Lu

about to lose?

No way.

He's just about to win.

Sir,

you went easy on me.

It's a test.

Don't take it too far.

He already admitted defeat.

Why try to kill him?

Grandmaster,

please forgive me.

I didn't realize

he had already surrendered.

You didn't realize

or was it because your opponent

was just some nameless rogue cultivator

and you didn't care?

Thank you, Grandmaster,

for standing up

for us rogue cultivators!

Yes!

Thank you for standing up for us!

Please stand up for us!

Please, we need your voice!

I'm aware many rogue cultivators have gone missing lately.

Our Moonshadow Sect

will get to the bottom of it.

If anyone is found stirring up conflict

between rogues and clan disciples,

disrupting the order of the cultivation world,

I will not show mercy.

Lu Mingyuan

wins!

Receives one Foundation Pill!

Senior Lu is amazing!

You've got the Foundation Pill!

A cultivator's strength

doesn't just depend on spirit roots,

but also on artifacts,

talismans,

formations,

and pills.

Use everything you've got,

plan carefully before making a move.

Lay low, then explode.

Maybe...

this is the path meant for me.

But in the face of overwhelming strength,

all shortcuts

are doomed to fail.

- Congrats, Senior Lu! - Congrats, Senior Lu!

He got into Yellow Maple Valley too?

What are the odds!

Just one step...

I was just one step from victory!

Qingwen,

that guy's a genius

with a variant spirit root after all.

No need to go head-to-head with him.

We failed this time,

but there's always next time.

Next time?

You think chances like this come easy?

I told you,

we rogue cultivators are one big family.

Don't take it so hard.

Enough already.

You're making my heart ache.

Hey...

Listen, everyone.

Don't be so down.

I heard

if you find a certain item,

you can skip the tournament

and still get into the Seven Sects.

- What item? - What is it?

I think it's called...

the Ascension Token!

Ascension Token?

Ascension Token?

Sir,

I was about to ask you.

Do you know about the Ascension Token?

The Ascension Token

was created by the Seven Sects.

It was meant to reward

cultivation families who made great contributions.

It could be passed down for generations.

They say

anyone who holds one

can join any sect

without taking the test

and even get a Foundation Pill.

A Foundation Pill?

No test and a Foundation Pill?

That's amazing.

But this thing

hasn't shown up for centuries.

How do you even know about it?

I didn't know,

but Han...

He read about it in a book.

He asked you directly?

No...

Not really.

We were just casually chatting.

Where's Han Li now?

Why isn't he here?

Han Li...

He's not around.

Weren't you

always with him?

I don't really know him that well.

I think he already left.

He left?

But the barrier's still active.

Where could he go?

He...

I...

My stomach hurts!

I need a bathroom break!

Why'd he run off?

Is it really stomach pain?

You buying it?

Looks like

this trip to the Tainan Bazaar wasn't for nothing.

These treasures will really help my cultivation later on.

So what if I have a fake spirit root?

With this Ascension Token,

I've got nothing to worry about!

I'll just stay hidden till morning.

Once the barrier lifts,

I'll head straight

to Yellow Maple Valley.

He's there!

Hurry!

Stop!

Stop running!

Get him!

Stop!

Stop!

He's there!

Quick!

Han!

Han!

Han!

Han!

Han!

Xiaoshan!

Xiaoshan!

What happened?

Han...

Run!

Qingwen and his men are bad guys...

I'm sorry...

I...

I got you

into trouble...

The Ascension Token

has been exposed.

Han!

Why are you running?

Stay and have a drink with us!

Nowhere to run now, huh?

You two,

why are you after me?

What do you think?

At this point,

Han,

you can drop the act.

Han,

you're being awfully selfish.

You got a treasure like the Ascension Token,

but won't even

let us take a look?

Ascension Token?

What is that?

Never heard of it!

In broad daylight,

you're trying to rob and kill someone.

Aren't you afraid the Seven Sects' punishment?

Enough talk.

Take him down first,

then search his body.

Where did he go?

Find him!

This won't work if it keeps up.

That Qingwen guy

is still hiding in the shadows.

Han,

I see you!

Stop hiding!

Come out!

A high-grade artifact!

Qingwen!

Help me!

Qingwen!

I knew you'd show up!

Wan Xiaoshan

was killed by you?

He was a good man.

But good men...

die too.

You lost your men too.

Why didn't you save them?

I had a feeling you had something up your sleeve.

So I let them go first.

Looks like I was right.

I get it now.

There are three of you,

but only one

Ascension Token.

You're a clever guy.

Pinggu and I go way back.

If this weren't about the path to ascension,

I wouldn't have let her die.

You really are a complete villain.

Han...

that Flying Sword Talisman

is your last trick, right?

What do you think?

This is Tainan Valley!

If you kill me here,

aren't you afraid you'll get caught?

You showed up out of nowhere,

clearly up to no good.

All I have to say is you snuck in here,

killed Wan Xiaoshan,

Wu Jiuzhi,

and Pinggu.

I'll kill you to avenge them.

Do you think the other rogues

will believe you,

or believe me?

Fine!

Then,

I'll use the token as bait.

Whoever kills you,

gets it!

You!

You'd throw your life away

over a token?

You're still young.

You don't understand what this means

to us rogue cultivators...

[Ice Demoness]

Who's there?

So, you're Daoist Qingwen?

Looks like you're dying.

But my master said

you can't die just yet.

Which means...

he'll have to die instead.

What stage is that guy in?

I can't even track his movements.

If I get caught,

I'm dead for sure.

I have to run!

Who are you, sir?

You founded the Azure Vein Society?

Interesting...

I'm just trying to stay alive.

That guy earlier

had the real treasure.

If you can spare me,

I'll question him myself

and hand over the treasure!

Ascension Token?

A crumb tossed by the Seven Sects.

You call that a treasure?

Are you interested...

in becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator?

Foundation...

Senior,

if you can help me

step into the Foundation Establishment stage,

I, Qingwen, will give my life

to repay you!

Senior...

Even on death's door,

you're still dreaming of that?

Please, help me!

Fine.

I felt a dark aura!

♪Shards of dreams inside a dream♪

♪A pale moon falls into mirrored skies♪

♪Years slipped by as I lingered on♪

♪Old scenes rise again♪

♪Too hard to forget♪

♪Easier just to miss♪

♪They say the past fades like smoke♪

♪But looking back still stirs the ache♪

♪This noisy world, this lonely page♪

♪Swept away by time♪

♪Eyes once looked far♪

♪Now lost in the shift♪

♪Autumn winds stir♪

♪Smoke curls once more♪

♪Like clouds on the edge of sky♪

♪Returning to my eyes♪

♪Looking back from the mountaintop♪

♪Time lost its name♪

♪Was it yesterday♪

♪Or tomorrow?♪

♪The world has changed♪

♪Beyond recall♪

♪Time will fade♪

♪All the words ever spoken♪

♪Only this longing remains♪

♪Crossing centuries and days♪

♪In a fleeting moment we call eternity♪

♪In a fleeting moment called eternity♪