Nie Shiyun scanned the distance. Fortunately, Xuan Yang and the others had chosen such a remote location; the nearby cultivators, fearing they might be caught in the crossfire of a Soul Transformation stage advancement, had long since fled. While the scouts sent by the major powers had not yet arrived, the tribulation clouds had been dispersed for some time. If they lingered any longer, it was only a matter of time before they were discovered.
"Remember to come..." Xuan Yang swallowed hard, clearly nervous about this sudden separation.
"Of course. Go now, before more trouble arises." Nie Shiyun looked at the group. He did not want anyone else to witness the sight of Zhai Bairong and Xuan Yang ascending. The word 'ascension' held far too much temptation for cultivators. If others learned they had a way to reach the Upper Realm, Nie Shiyun wouldn't just lose his chance to repair the immortal artifact and follow them—he would likely struggle even to ensure his own safety under the pressure of the various sects.
"I thought they would come to blows over these spots... I didn't expect them to decide so readily," the female phoenix whispered to her brother.
"It saves us the trouble," the male cultivator nodded. "Come here. Each of you grab one of our arms. The sensation of passing through space is not pleasant; if you let go, you bear the consequences. As for you, fellow clansman... you only need to enter the pillar of light yourself."
The three nodded. Knowing that delaying would only bring trouble to Nie Shiyun, they didn't dare say more and quickly followed the twins' instructions. Together, they leaped into the light.
A rift emitting white light seemed to be torn into the sky, returning to its original state as soon as they entered. Aside from the slowly drifting white clouds, no trace was left behind.
Nie Shiyun had no time to process the emotions of parting. He moved with maximum speed to retrieve all the formation flags and materials from the scene. Just in case, he even re-charred the patch of turf that had been revitalized by the pillar of light. After circling the area to ensure no traces remained that could identify which cultivator had undergone the tribulation, Nie Shiyun took a Disguise Pill, concealed his presence, and swiftly departed.
On his journey back to the Yunqing Sect through the night, the cultivation world was, as expected, in a total uproar.
Everyone was discussing where this new Soul Transformation cultivator had come from. Although the number of Soul Transformation cultivators in the world could be counted on two hands, there were still many at the Nascent Soul stage. However, no one had heard of any Nascent Soul cultivator intending to undergo a tribulation in recent years.
All sorts of rumors were flying around, most guessing it was some reclusive rogue cultivator. No one suspected Xuan Yang. After all, Xuan Yang was a disciple of the Yunqing Sect; such a momentous event as a tribulation should have been completed within his own master's estate for better protection.
In this regard, Nie Shiyun felt it was a blessing in disguise. Had an ascension path truly opened directly above their sect, it would have been seen clearly by cultivators from all directions. The Yunqing Sect would likely have been razed to the ground by various grandmasters the very next day.
Ten days later, Nie Shiyun secretly returned to the Yunqing Sect.
"Martial Uncle! You're finally back."
As soon as Nie Shiyun stepped through the gates of the Yunqing Sect, he was called out to.
The speaker was Du Shaojun, the daughter of Qi Xuan’er and Du Zhi. The child who had once wailed in her swaddling clothes had now grown into a graceful young woman.
"Father and Mother are waiting for you at the back mountain."
"Alright, I understand." Nie Shiyun knew what this meant.
Normally, he might have stopped for a few words of small talk, but today was special. He didn't linger and headed straight for the back mountain.
Choosing to meet at his own cave dwelling rather than the reception hall or the Sect Master’s tower suggested that those close to him were very perceptive.
When Nie Shiyun reached the back mountain, he saw that Du Zhi and Qi Xuan’er were already there, along with his cousin Nie Xing’an and his father Nie Li. It was quite a full gathering.
"It was Xuan Yang, wasn't it?"
Before Nie Shiyun could even invite them into the dwelling, Nie Li asked directly.
Outsiders assumed Xuan Yang was still in seclusion. These few, however, knew better. Three years ago, Xuan Yang had indeed announced a period of seclusion, but he hadn't even stayed for a year before sneaking out.
Nie Shiyun nodded. "Yes."
"I knew it! That boy caused such a massive commotion the moment he ran out. Honestly!" Over the years, Nie Li had tried to discipline Xuan Yang, but he was always soft-hearted and never truly managed to keep him in check.
Qi Xuan’er looked at Nie Shiyun and asked, "What does Senior Brother think? Our Yunqing Sect has been in the spotlight too much these past few years. Since the news of Xuan Yang’s advancement hasn't leaked yet, I assume Senior Brother also feels..."
Nie Shiyun sighed and beckoned them. "It’s a long story. Cousin, please invite the Sect Master as well. Let’s talk inside."
The group had already sharply noticed that Xuan Yang was absent—and Zhai Bairong was missing too!
Nie Shiyun’s expression was more serious than ever before. Everyone immediately understood that something significant must have happened, and the atmosphere grew tense.
Once inside the cave dwelling, Nie Shiyun scanned the people before him. These were the people he trusted most, and the ones he found hardest to leave behind.
"For what I am about to say, I ask everyone to swear never to repeat it to outsiders," Nie Shiyun spoke calmly. "This is not for my own sake, but for the safety of the Yunqing Sect."
...
The people present, including Sect Master Nie Mingde, all knew that Xuan Yang’s true form was that of a semi-divine beast. This made the explanation much easier. Nie Shiyun spoke directly, informing them that Xuan Yang, along with two others, had left through the Phoenix Clan’s ascension path, and shared his own plans for what came next.
Because the information was so overwhelming, everyone was left dumbfounded for a time.
Given the ages of everyone present—even Nie Mingde and Nie Li—they had been told by their elders since birth that 'ascension' was a pipe dream.
Yet, not a single person present questioned Nie Shiyun’s words. They were certain that Nie Shiyun would not joke about such a thing.
"Is Xuan Yang’s Soul Lamp still normal?"
After Nie Shiyun inquired, someone was sent to check, and they returned with a positive answer.
Shen Yan was solitary and had no one to come looking for him. Fortunately, it had become normal for Bairong not to return to his sect for long periods, and Xuan Yang was mistakenly believed to be in seclusion... As long as the Soul Lamps didn't show abnormalities just because they were in the Upper Realm, their whereabouts would be easy to hide.
"Will you... be able to come back?" Du Zhi looked at Nie Shiyun, his expression full of reluctance.
Qi Xuan’er nudged Du Zhi with her elbow, signaling him not to make things difficult for Nie Shiyun.
Everyone knew in their hearts that once he left, he likely wouldn't return. Even Nie Li, his father, hadn't spoken, though he was surely feeling desolate. Du Zhi, on the other hand, had just blurted the question out.
Unexpectedly, Nie Shiyun said with conviction, "I will return."
The group looked at him in shock.
"It might not be soon. It could take a hundred years, or even several hundred. But I will find a way to repair the ascension path so that cultivators of this world can once again travel to the Upper Realm. When that time comes, I will be able to travel back and forth between the two places."
Nie Li finally spoke, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Silly child! The Upper Realm might be fraught with danger; even protecting yourself might be difficult! Just stay there and don't worry about all these impossible things. As long as we can see that your Soul Lamp remains lit, we will be at peace..."
Nie Shiyun felt somewhat helpless. No one believed that an ascension path closed for thousands of years could be reopened; they only thought Nie Shiyun was trying to make the parting less painful. But Nie Shiyun couldn't say that in the original story, that thing was eventually repaired. He felt that if that were the case, he too had the ability to achieve it...
"Father. I will act within my means."
Nie Shiyun sighed and continued, "But I don't know how long the news of our disappearance can be kept secret. Although it's normal to vanish for a century in the cultivation world, if someone comes looking for trouble with the Yunqing Sect during that time..."
Perhaps the most rational course of action would be to wait a few more years, at least until Du Zhi advanced to the Soul Transformation stage, before leaving.
However, he didn't want to make Zhai Bairong wait.
Seeing Nie Shiyun’s complicated expression, Nie Xing’an smiled and patted his shoulder, joking, "You underestimate us too much, don't you? Go. Don't worry about us. You've already done enough for the Yunqing Sect... Rest assured, we can hold the fort."
His voice was as reliable as ever. Nie Shiyun smiled at his words. Indeed, the current Yunqing Sect had been built by all of them. If it were to collapse just because he left, he would be thinking too little of his friends and family.
"As for my sister's side..." Finally, Qi Xuan’er thought of something and sought Nie Shiyun’s opinion.
"I naturally trust Qi Miaohan. As for Jiang Baixiang, as far as I know, although she is a Soul Transformation cultivator, she cares too much for her sect and disciples to have any heart for ascension," Nie Shiyun said reassuringly. "If other sects truly move against the Yunqing Sect in the future, then coordinate with Qi Miaohan to bring the Pinyin Sect to our side."
"I understand." Qi Xuan’er nodded.
"I will prepare for a while. Once everything is ready, I will go to a deserted island in the far sea to depart," Nie Shiyun concluded.
The group, now completely calmed, all nodded, agreeing that this was a sound approach. Nie Shiyun could see that they were truly considering his well-being.
If not for this turn of events, he and Zhai Bairong would likely have lived out their days in the Yunqing Sect...
But wasn't this also a kind of opportunity? If the cultivation world remained closed off, the spiritual energy would eventually be depleted. By going now, he might be able to try and push the gears that had been stagnant for a millennium to turn once more. Nie Shiyun didn't have particularly grand ideals, but his future descendants, and the descendants of these close friends, might gain a new life because of it.
And he and Zhai Bairong could continue to cultivate, accompanying each other even further.
Thinking of this, Nie Shiyun’s state of mind became clearer than ever before.
One month later.
After packing his usual artifact-refining furnaces and tools into his jade pendant and stuffing several storage rings and bracelets full of spirit stones and materials, Nie Shiyun quietly left the Yunqing Sect one morning.
Arriving at the Southeast Sea, Nie Shiyun traveled by sword, searching for a suitable place to stop. He went deeper this time than ever before, eventually finding a barren little island.
"Speaking of which, it was on an island in this area that I contracted you." Nie Shiyun released the Little Sparrow, his exotic flame.
"Suddenly being all by myself is a bit hard to get used to. Stay with me for a bit." Nie Shiyun teased the little ball of fire with his finger. As an exotic flame, the Little Sparrow possessed a spiritual intelligence, but it was limited; it didn't understand what Nie Shiyun meant by "all by myself." However, it could sense that its master was slightly lonely, so it happily circled around him, trying to cheer him up.
Nie Shiyun smiled at its rowdy behavior and took out the immortal raiment he had long since thoroughly researched.
The only immortal artifact left in this cultivation world, the Purple Silk Immortal Raiment, originated from the Upper Realm. Most of its materials were things Nie Shiyun had never seen in this world. Yet, by some twist of fate, the damaged parts were all things that could be found here. Nie Shiyun didn't know whether to call it his own good luck or the luck of Duan Mingyu from the original story.
The name Duan Mingyu had long since vanished. The cultivation world had forgotten such a person even existed. But Nie Shiyun thought he would likely never forget. His bizarre journey of transmigration and rebirth had begun with Duan Mingyu and that book, and now would be the last time he relied on the contents written in that original work.
What the Upper Realm was like, and what would happen next, Nie Shiyun had no idea. Casting aside stray thoughts, he lowered his head and began to focus on repairing the immortal raiment.
Half a day later, a rift suddenly appeared in the sky, shining with golden light. There were no living creatures on the land for miles around. This wondrous sight was gone in an instant; only the fish beneath the sea vaguely felt that the sky seemed exceptionally bright, though upon leaping from the water, they saw only the same sky as always.
No trace was left on the barren island. Nie Shiyun had left the mortal cultivation world, heading alone toward the Upper Realm.
***
Glossary:
