Ascension of The Unholy Immortal

Within a secret location in the Martial Rising Realm…

Upon a lofty platform carved entirely from the bleached bones of ancient dragons, a man sat cross-legged in perfect stillness, his eyes shut tight as if in deep meditation. His robes fluttered slightly despite the absence of wind, and the air around him shimmered with violent power.

A myriad of qi strands surrounded him—sword qi as sharp as starlight, saber qi like rolling thunder, fist qi coiled with the strength of mountains, and other, more obscure forms twisted and danced in an endless vortex. They pulsed, breathed, and roared around him, as though this man were the center of a storm made of martial will itself.

Suddenly, the currents of qi stirred violently. The man's brow furrowed, but he did not open his eyes. The subtle crease between his brows was the only indication that he had sensed the coming disturbance.

Then, without warning, the sky above the platform groaned and tore apart. A jagged black rift cracked open the air like fragile glass being shattered by divine hands.

The man's expression darkened as he opened his eyes—calm, deep, yet sharp like a still lake hiding a thousand spears beneath its surface.

"…Why would she be here?" he muttered under his breath.

As if in response, two figures tumbled from the spatial rift above. The tear snapped shut behind them, leaving behind silence—and tension.

They were none other than Kai and Revenant Sia.

Kai's eyes widened in awe as he took in his surroundings. The spiritual energy here… it was unlike anything he had ever experienced. Thick as mist and vibrant with intent, it seemed to surge into his body even without cultivation effort. His dantian stirred of its own accord, and he could feel his realm shifting—rising.

Is this place built atop a mystical-ranked spirit vein? he thought, astonished. Or... something else?

Just as he was marveling, Sia's voice echoed across the bone platform with icy displeasure.

"Wu Jiang, is this how you greet guests now? Or have your manners decayed along the years?"

The man—Wu Jiang, the Martial Lord—appeared silently on the far side of the platform, like a shadow made flesh.

"Guests?" His voice was deep, resonant, and utterly indifferent. "I thought welcoming was for those who were invited."

Kai's eyes narrowed. He recognized this man immediately. The number one expert of the domain. A legend in the Martial Rising Realm.

"Hmph." Sia scoffed. "I don't recall you being so polite when you invaded my Unholy Lands again and again."

"Unholy Lands?" Wu Jiang chuckled coldly. "This entire realm is the Martial Rising Realm. Every inch of it answers to me."

Sia smiled faintly, her eyes glinting with unfathomable cunning. "Let the past stay buried, Wu Jiang. We didn't come to quarrel. We're here for something else."

Wu Jiang's expression shifted slightly. "Let me guess. You've come to drag me into trouble again?"

From his tone, it was clear—this wasn't the first time.

"It's just a small matter," Sia said with a grin, her lips curving with mischievous grace. "I promise you won't lose out this time."

Wu Jiang raised an eyebrow. "That's never a good sign."

Her next words, however, shook him to the core.

"Have you heard… of the Heaven Severing Mortal Unity Scripture?"

"What?!"

Wu Jiang's composure cracked for a brief moment, his voice sharp with disbelief.

Kai turned toward Sia, an expression of exasperation flickering across his face. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. That was supposed to be my deepest secret… Why would she casually reveal it to someone like him?

Wu Jiang's gaze turned toward Kai, sharp as a blade.

His pupils deepened, transforming into abyssal vortexes that seemed to devour the world.

In that instant, Kai felt a fear he had never known before. It was as if death itself stared back at him. His hand twitched, almost summoning the black mirror.

But the moment passed. Wu Jiang's gaze returned to normal.

Kai let out a subtle sigh of relief.

And then came words that stunned him once again.

"Truly unexpected," Wu Jiang murmured. "I never imagined I'd meet another person cultivating that technique… besides the old man."

Sia chuckled. "Told you it wasn't a loss. Kai is my only disciple. I'm sure you can see his condition?"

Wu Jiang nodded solemnly. "Yin-half constitution, cultivating both soul and body… just a step away from the Void Return Realm. Exceptional."

Kai couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride. Praise from someone like Wu Jiang meant a lot.

Sia sighed faintly. "Unfortunately, that's not enough. His other half… isn't ordinary either."

"Oh?" Wu Jiang's eyes sharpened.

"You've heard of the rising star from the Divine Spirit Palace, haven't you?"

"Hah. You mean that brat—Liang?"

"Oh? So you've met?" Sia raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Briefly. I wouldn't call it knowing him," Wu Jiang replied, voice cool.

"Well then, you can imagine the rest."

Wu Jiang fell silent, thinking. Then he asked, "What kind of help do you expect from me?"

Sia's smile faded. "Help Kai reach a level where he can defeat Liang."

The atmosphere turned heavy. Wu Jiang was silent for several long moments before he spoke again.

"You want me to support him… with my fate aura?"

She nodded.

He shook his head slightly. "Even with yours and mine combined, it may not be enough. That brat has the fate auras of the Dong Clan and the Divine Spirit Palace. Rumor has it Mo Ji owes him a favor as well… The Devil Realm might support him too."

Sia's eyes narrowed, though she seemed unsurprised. "Don't forget—I have my own connections."

"The All Things Pavilion?" Wu Jiang asked dryly.

Sia smirked. "You're more informed than you look."

But Wu Jiang's sneer deepened. "Then what if I told you… that brat has ties to the Pavilion as well? Not as deep as yours, but enough to keep them neutral at worst."

"What?!" Sia's smile disappeared for an instant. Her face darkened, but only briefly.

Her next question was sharp, calculated.

"Back when the old man reached great success in the Scripture… which half prevailed in the end?"