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 22]

I'm willing

to offer it up with both hands.

A smooth talker.

Clearly used to dealing in the mortal world

and very street smart.

Quite impressive.

Didn't expect you to be this sensible.

I am not one

to take by force.

Your Fire Control Technique may be minor,

but it's rather interesting.

I can offer some spells and pills

in exchange.

Think carefully.

What do you want in return?

[Fire Control Technique]

Please, have some tea.

If you're still pleased,

then I'd like to ask,

if I may,

for a pill to help break through.

I hope you'll grant this favor.

I have two bottles of Yellow Dragon Pills.

You know

what they're good for.

Take them.

Are you sure

you're not with those two?

Those two?

Who're you talking about?

In any case,

I do have

one more favor to ask.

If you can do it,

our Spirit Beast Mountain

will reward you handsomely.

So, you're a senior

from Spirit Beast Mountain!

Senior,

if you ask,

how could I

possibly refuse?

However,

I must admit,

my skills are limited.

I worry I may ruin your plans.

It's nothing grand.

It's something

about your disciple, the Young Prince,

and Steward Wang.

I suspect

they're colluding with the demonic sects.

Will you keep an eye on them for me?

Are you willing?

This is a fine warding artifact.

Hold on to it.

If the task is done,

there'll be more rewards.

Rest assured,

I won't let you down.

[Violet Pearl]

As long as this blood curse's still on us,

we're stuck working for them.

Talking won't help.

We might as well catch a few more rogues!

Catch?

You think we're catching rats here?

He wanted three today, maybe five tomorrow.

Most of the lone rogue cultivators

have already scattered!

At this rate,

Er,

why don't you throw us in with them too?

Am I wrong?

Si!

Say that again!

Go on, say that again!

Am I wrong, huh?

Don't listen to his nonsense.

What happened to San

hurts all of us.

I want to write a letter

to that immortal from Clear Void Sect.

If they're willing to help,

maybe this whole thing...

The Seven Sects?

Da,

they're busy fighting the demonic sects.

Even in peacetime,

have they ever cared about rogue cultivators like us?

No matter what, I will save San.

Even if you won't,

I will have to go alone!

Er!

Da.

We

grew up with San...

There's no way we're leaving her behind!

But now's not the time.

And I won't let you go alone!

Da.

If you ask me,

the Seven Sects are losing ground fast.

They can barely take care of themselves.

We might as well

join the Black Fiend Cult.

Safer that way.

She's just a mortal.

Yeah,

a mortal.

What's the problem?

I may be young,

but I'm not a clueless kid!

If you want to fool someone,

at least don't use a mortal to brush me off.

Sure, you're a cultivator.

But right now,

you're only at the Tier 5 of Qi Refining.

In front of me,

or those villains,

you're not much different from a mortal.

So why look down on them?

Anyway,

your personal life has nothing to do with me.

If you want to go,

I won't stop you.

Miss Mo here is an old friend of mine.

She has some ties to Steward Wang at the estate.

She's been investigating

in secret for a long time.

Don't underestimate her.

She's tougher than she looks.

Your Fragrance Pellets are great.

I even brought my sister to buy some.

Thanks!

Next time, I'll give you both a bigger discount.

Sounds great.

[Snow-Petal Skincare]

Snow-Petal Skincare...

Li.

Miss Mo.

Your clinic

is really something.

How are you

selling more cosmetics than medicine?

Li,

don't tease me.

It's all because of the Fragrance Pellet

you taught me to make.

The ladies in the capital love it.

They're always begging me to make more.

One thing led to another,

and now the clinic barely feels like a clinic anymore.

Still,

it's opened some doors

for gathering information.

Li, please.

I know your personality.

Dealing with those people

must be tough for you.

From now

until this is all over,

Miss Mo,

you must stay away from Steward Wang.

Quickly erase any signs

of your prior investigations.

Don't worry, Li.

I know what's at stake.

This time,

I'm just trying to track down the missing cultivators.

I won't attempt to assassinate him again.

Lately, several supply runs

have gone through different estates

under Steward Wang's command.

Although

they've been careful,

keeping things spread out.

I have a few reliable contacts

in and out of the estate.

Piecing together

what I've learned,

I suspect

those missing cultivators

are being held in a few specific places.

Give me a moment, Li.

Li, look.

This is the east side of the city,

too crowded with shops and people.

Not a good place to keep anyone.

The west side's near the palace,

with guards all over.

Hard to move there.

Not ideal either.

It should be...

This spot!

We should check out all these places.

Aren't you quite smart?

Come on, let's hear your thoughts.

Earlier,

that Li fellow went missing

near a base in the south of the city.

And Miss Zhao too.

They both vanished on the way back

through the South Gate.

So I think

every one of these spots

needs checking!

You really know a lot

for someone so young.

You're amazing.

Someone's right too.

You're a pretty sharp lady.

Miss Cui'er,

let's talk inside.

Come.

Let's go.

Those two hit it off.

No need to worry there.

I once dreamed

of running a clinic like this.

The simple life of a mortal

isn't so bad.

Li,

here's the rouge you asked for.

Thanks.

How much silver?

I'll have Qin Gui send it over.

Come on, don't be so formal.

We're friends, aren't we?

Still,

this is women's stuff.

Is it

for that Miss Xuan'er we saw last time?

You've got it wrong, Miss Mo.

It's for a senior sister of mine.

She's really into this kind of thing.

Senior Zhong's gotten me in trouble!

I'm never shopping for her again.

Li,

you sure have

a lot of senior and junior sisters.

Come look!

This herb is so pretty!

She's got talent,

but she's still too naïve.

If no one guides her,

I worry

she'll get herself into trouble.

I still need to do some digging.

Cui'er

may need you to look after.

Sure.

Li,

I know

what you're really thinking.

You said I should look after her,

but in truth,

you want her to protect me, right?

Don't worry.

I can take care of myself.

And of course,

I'll keep an eye on Cui'er too.

I'll make sure she doesn't get in your way.

Here,

take this talisman.

Keep it on you.

If you're in danger,

it'll trigger on its own

to save your life.

Hopefully,

you'll never need it.

Time to go.

Li!

Will I see you again?

He's gone?

Thank goodness!

On the seventh day of the seventh month,

a unit of a hundred men

from Saber-Shearing Sect

was ambushed

at Yanliang Mountain.

More than half were killed or wounded.

After years of fighting,

is there not any good news?

Wan.

Nichang?

Weren't you headed to Tiandu Kingdom for reinforcements?

Why are you here?

Did something major happen at the front?

It's good news.

A victory report just came in.

Spirit Beast Mountain and Skyfort Castle won a big battle.

Elder Han led the charge

and managed to trap

over a hundred Foundation cultivators from Beast Taming Sect.

They even killed

two Core Formation demonic cultivators.

But,

didn't our people

find out before

that Elder Han

was in close contact with the demonic sects,

even exchanging letters?

Is the report reliable?

There was contact, sure,

but it was all part of Elder Han's ruse.

She pretended to defect to gain their trust.

If we hadn't already learned

Beast Taming Sect's route,

this surprise attack

wouldn't have worked.

Still, something feels off.

If Spirit Beast Mountain

can fool the demonic sects,

what's stopping them

from fooling us too?

Wan,

it's good to be cautious.

But this victory

is real.

Many disciples saw it firsthand.

Some Core Formation cultivators

even fell in the battle.

Even if the demonic sects

and Spirit Beast Mountain were colluding,

they wouldn't throw away

Core Formation cultivators' lives

just to keep up appearances.

This is a much-needed win

after all those bitter fights

against the demonic scum!

Not bad at all!

Once the dust settles,

I'll go learn from Elder Han.

These past days,

I've been feeling low.

You've been shouldering

the burden of battle command.

It's my fault

for dragging down the Golden Drum Plains campaign.

Hongfu,

still no word on Xuan'er?

That demon keeps moving around.

We have no idea

where he's hiding her.

No matter.

Clear Void Sect and Spirit Beast Mountain

will meet up with us in a few days.

Once the main forces gather,

I'll send more people

to expand the search.

We'll find her for sure!

Wang Chan of Ghost Spirit Sect

seeks an audience with Grandmaster Yunlu!

Please announce him!

You brat's here.

What now?

Come begging for medicine?

So young

and already sick?

Or is it for your father?

You jest, Grandmaster.

I recently came across a rare item,

and thought

it might be of interest to you.

So I made a special trip to present it!

A rare item?

Let's see it.

Please, Grandmaster.

Take a look!

Wang Chan of Ghost Spirit Sect

greets Grandmaster Yunlu!

Unbelievable...

[Grandmaster Yunlu]

How's your mother?

Is she doing well?

My mother...?

Time flies.

You've grown so much already.

What's your name?

I'm Dong Xuan'er.

Still so stubborn.

My master

is supposed to be righteous!

How would she side with you demonic lot?

Righteous?

Demonic?

Who filled your head with such outdated nonsense?

The so-called Seven Sects

were all born from the Six Demonic Sects.

A few centuries ago,

the Righteous Alliance and the Grassland Clans invaded.

They took advantage of the chaos

and broke away.

They act all high and mighty,

but they're just a bunch

of self-righteous fame chasers.

I've never heard

any of that before.

Someone like Grandmaster Yunlu

has no reason

to lie to you.

Moonshadow Sect came from Joyful Union Sect.

Spirit Beast Mountain

was born of Beast Taming Sect.

And now,

even Yan Clan Stronghold

has returned to Ghost Spirit Sect.

The Seven Sects

are already on the verge of collapse.

Is that so?

Maybe it's time

your father here

gave you a real education.

Father?

A tiger's cub

should never live among sheep.

Xuan'er,

from this day on,

you are my direct disciple.

You are no longer allowed

to practice anything from Yellow Maple Valley.

With your gift of enchantment,

you should cultivate the ultimate art of Joyful Union Sect.

I told you,

you owe me a thanks.

Now go on, acknowledge your kin,

and call him Master.

So this man is really my father?

I never knew.

Congrats, Grandmaster!

Today,

you're finally reunited with your dear Xuan'er.

I won't forget this great favor

from Ghost Spirit Sect.

But tell me,

how did you and Xuan'er meet?

When you brought her here,

didn't her mother stop you?

My mother...

Could it be Master Hongfu?

Is she

really my mother?

Reporting,

Xuan'er and I first met

at Yan Clan Stronghold.

Even back then, I could tell

she carried a powerful legacy.

Honestly, Yellow Maple Valley

is rotten from top to bottom.

They even had male and female disciples

train together.

They clearly wanted them to pair off.

I've seen Xuan'er

blushing like crazy.

You'd better be careful,

or some sleazy guy may trick you,

and mess with your cultivation.

That's enough nonsense!

Is that true?

What's that guy's name?

Just some nobody,

not worth mentioning.

He's Li Feiyu.

Of course,

if you

hadn't asked,

that name

wouldn't be worth speaking in your presence.

You're the one not worthy!

I am!

[A few days later]

This ancient book isn't ordinary.

Too bad I only understand the intro, some Aura Concealment Technique.

The rest is hard to decipher.

I'll find someone

to translate it later.

It's been days now,

and still no sign.

I can't sense Wu Sanxing's spirit at all.

Maybe...

he's been killed?

Come on, let's go!

That's enough!

Move!

Move, Wu!

Let's go!

Poor Wu.

They got him in the end.

But those guys who buried him

look so familiar.

Da,

are they gone?

- Yeah, they're gone. - So it really was them.

That's just despicable.

Wait.

Where are you all headed?

Shall I send you off myself?

Who's that?

Who are you?

Say your name!

Hiding your face like that,

what kind of coward are you?

Yeah!

Hang us longer,

and our heads are going to burst!

The gang of us

doesn't ask to be born the same day!

Only to die the same day!

If you want to kill us,

make it quick!

Yeah, make it quick.

Ow!

Weren't there five of you?

Where's the last one?

How'd he know that?

Are we famous now?

Our name's finally out there!

Where's the last one?

San?

She's been taken.

San's been kidnapped.

Da!

That's a Wind Barrier spell.

You won't break through.

Da, he's over there!

Spill everything you know.

Right now.

No?

Then rot in there.

- Please! - Senior!

- Please, Senior! - Senior!

We're just victims too!

Yeah, we're the pitiful ones!

We were cursed

and bound by a spell!

We...

Who cursed you?

Black...

Black Fiend Cult!

Why?

They controlled us.

They made us help them

lure and capture rogue cultivators

around Yue Kingdom.

Where are those rogue cultivators now?

The rogues...

We don't know.

So basically,

you've all got blood

on your hands.

Blood?

We'd never dare kill cultivators!

- Yeah! - We kept our hands clean!

Then who killed the ones you buried?

It... it wasn't us!

Steward Wang of Prince Xin's Mansion told us to bury them!

And the others?

I'm telling you,

those cultivators

weren't killed.

The Black Fiend Cult

just hid them away somewhere!

Where are they hidden?

They're hidden at...

at...

at...

We really don't know.

Senior!

We do know!

- We know! We'll take you there! - Senior!

Are you with the Seven Sects?

Seven Sects?

Senior,

I once met Elder Liu

from your side.

He's our second uncle.

- No, our eldest uncle. - Yeah, eldest.

Eldest or second, uncle's still uncle.

Right.

Senior,

please help us

break the blood curse

and lift the restriction spell.

We swear to aid you

in wiping out the Black Fiend Cult

and restoring justice!

Even if it costs us our lives!

The Five Meng

is known for our loyalty!

The Five Meng? What a joke!

They can't do anything right,

only good at screwing things up!

They're just outer disciples

who never passed the sects' entrance trials.

The Master already put a blood curse on them long ago.

Good thing you were sharp enough.

Now those losers

won't be blabbing anymore.

That Wu Sanxing guy

clearly had backup.

But that may not be a bad thing.

The Master happens to need

Foundation Establishment Stage blood for his cultivation.

This guy

may be just what he needs.

If anyone else starts asking questions

like Wu did,

they're probably connected to him.

We can capture them too

and offer them to Master!

[Ledger]

San!

San!

San!

San!

- Da, Er. - San!

You're finally back!

Master,

you lifted the spell on us

and rescued our sister too.

This is a debt

we'll never forget!

Enough.

Get up, all of you.

Get up.

Since the five of you were forced into it,

I won't report this

to the sects.

However,

if you're truly turning over a new leaf,

you'd better make up for what you've done.

Master,

whatever you need, just say the word!

How many strongholds

does the Black Fiend Cult have in this city?

You have one day

to find out and report back.

Understood!

Miss Mo.

We're closed for the day.

All of you, head home for now.

Got it, Miss Mo.

[Snow-Petal Skincare]

These are the transport records.

All supplies like food and weapons.

Enough to support several dozen people.

Looks like these places

really are their bases.

Quick!

Let's go!

Hurry!

Move!

Thank you, Master, for saving us!

This way!

Hurry!

Cui'er!

Grandpa!

Cui'er!

Thank goodness!

A family should always stay together.

Wu recognized him too.

I recognized him at first glance.

Wait,

was that your secret signal?

Remember the Tainan Bazaar?

I'll trade two strengthening pills

for your book.

That's loyalty for you!

Well then, farewell!

Wait, I remember now.

It was him!

Yeah, it was him!

That's right!

Back at the Tainan Bazaar,

he was just a rogue cultivator

at Tier 7 or 8 of Qi Refining.

Yeah.

His cultivation was even lower than mine.

But now he's so powerful!

Who cares his past?

Anyway,

he's a Foundation Establishment cultivator now!

He's an old acquaintance!

I'll go say hi,

and...

Hey, what are you doing?

Where are you going?

He clearly doesn't want to be recognized.

If he did, he would've said something.

That's basic etiquette in the cultivation world.

Do you get it?

Let's lie in ambush!

Let them fall into our trap!

If we follow him,

we're bound to catch the other one too.

Wu!

We've waited so long.

Will he be back?

Enough with the nonsense.

Just wait!

Master!

Master!

Where is he?

It really is him!

Master,

these people

are right here!

Yeah, this is the place!

Just a basic earth-element array.

Nothing to worry about.

We can smash through it.

But we're guests.

Let's be polite.

I'll knock first.

Master,

you think there may be an ambush?

Well,

you've finally shown yourselves.

[Tie Luo]

Sir,

that's the one who raided

our branch outpost!

Take him alive!

Form the array!

A mid-Foundation cultivator?

I'll need to go all out!

Good luck, everyone!

Wu!

Wu!

Wu!

Wu!

What's wrong?

What's going on with Wu?

Master!

Wu is...

She is...

Hey...

Oh.

Charge!

Wu!

Wu!

We can't stop her!

I'll...

What did you do?

Someone stay and watch her.

You're in trouble now!

I...

Wu!

That hide is tough!

Looks like

we won't break through anytime soon.

Wait!

I'm Prince Xin's son!

The Seven Sects made a pact.

Cultivators aren't allowed

to harm royal bloodlines!

Their rules

don't apply to me.

If you're not one of the Seven Sects,

then why get involved?

Because I feel like it.

Watch him.

Don't kill him!

Master!

Master!

It was the Black Fiend Cult

who set you up!

It was all them!

I was forced into this!

I've never had

a personal grudge with you!

If you let me go today,

I'll reveal every secret I know

about the Black Fiend Cult.

I heard you're from Lanzhou.

Do you know someone named Mo Juren?

Master,

what's your grudge with him?

That man

once tried to kill me

and failed.

So in a way,

I helped you get revenge.

I wiped out his entire clan.

You're on the path to immortality,

so why target a mortal family?

Just a bunch of mortals.

So what if they're dead?

He dared to rival me once.

That was enough.

I was going to ask

about your demonic transformation technique...

Master,

if you'll spare

my life,

I'll give you the technique

willingly!

Forget it.

Scum like you

should just die.

♪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♪