Honor and Lineage: A Celestial Immortal's Ascent

After deducing that the mountain range was the 'Eastforest Mountain Range,' Ji Ning did not rush to confirm it. Instead, he used a spatial teleportation to return directly to Anchan City. After all, his master had just broken through to become a Celestial Immortal; he naturally had to be present. If his true body were absent, his master and the Wufeng Immortal would surely be uneasy.

Black-White College, Anchan City.

Although it was morning, and a heavy snow had just fallen, the main hall of the College was filled with joy.

"I have a tremendous piece of good news to announce to all of you," the Wufeng Immortal declared loudly within the hall. "Our Black-White College… has produced a Celestial Immortal! The second Celestial Immortal since our founding." A strange silence fell over the hall as the assembled Primal Daoists and Loose Immortals stared at the Wufeng Immortal in disbelief.

"Ten days ago, Ji Ning and I went to protect our junior apprentice-brother Diancai as he weathered his tribulation. After enduring the Wind, Fire, Thunder, and Heart-Demon Tribulations, junior apprentice-brother Diancai became a Celestial Immortal," the Wufeng Immortal said, his voice echoing through the hall.

"A Celestial Immortal?" "Junior apprentice-brother Diancai?" "Senior apprentice-brother Diancai!" "Ji Ning, has your master truly become a Celestial Immortal?" "Do you fools think I would lie about something like this?" "Everyone, I have indeed achieved Celestial Immortality. All thanks to Ji Ning and senior apprentice-brother Wufeng for their protection."

The entire main hall of the Black-White College was swept up in a wave of ecstasy, with everyone cheering. When the Diancai Immortal personally released his might, letting everyone experience the pressure of a 'Celestial Immortal's presence,' the celebration only grew louder. A Celestial Immortal was of extraordinary significance. In the past, the only time the Black-White College had produced a Celestial Immortal, its status had soared to rival that of the Anchan Northmont clan and the local Yinglong Guard headquarters. A Celestial Immortal had achieved true immortality, and as long as one lived, the entire sect had a firm foundation.

While the excited Primal and Loose Immortals of the Black-White College gathered to celebrate, the Wufeng Immortal also sent the Bihai Immortal to the Anchan Northmont estate. He personally went to request an audience with the Tuoshan Celestial Immortal to inform him of the news.

"You say the Diancai Immortal has become a Celestial Immortal?" The Tuoshan Celestial Immortal, normally a man of great composure, could not hide his stunned expression.

Celestial Immortals were exceedingly rare. Under normal circumstances, the entire Grand Xia Dynasty might not see a single breakthrough in a million years. Even in the current chaotic times of the Three Realms, such events were still quite uncommon.

"Senior Tuoshan, would I lie about something like this?" the former College Lord, the Bihai Immortal, said with a smile. "This time, senior apprentice-brother Diancai underwent his tribulation with Ji Ning and senior Wufeng guarding him."

"Excellent, excellent, excellent." The Tuoshan Celestial Immortal leaned on his wooden staff, laughing heartily. "This is a great joy for my entire Anchan Commandery. Please return first. I will make some preparations and then come to your Black-White College."

"Yes, junior will take his leave." The Bihai Immortal bowed respectfully, then withdrew.

The Tuoshan Celestial Immortal hesitated for a moment in the hall, then quickly left the side-hall and made his way to the main assembly hall of the Anchan Northmont clan. "Close the doors. Everyone out," he commanded.

"Yes!" the guards acknowledged respectfully.

Boom…

The heavy doors boomed shut, plunging the vast hall into complete darkness.

The Tuoshan Celestial Immortal waved his hand, and eight enormous candles flared to life, illuminating the chamber.

"Elder brother," he called out.

The eyes of a beast carving on the throne at the far end of the hall suddenly lit up, looking towards him. The carved beast's mouth moved, and a voice emerged: "Tuoshan, what is it?"

"Elder brother, a new Celestial Immortal has been born in my Anchan Commandery," the Tuoshan Celestial Immortal said quickly.

"Who?" the beast carving asked.

"The Diancai Immortal of the Black-White College," the Tuoshan Celestial Immortal replied.

The beast carving spoke again. "The Black-White College has the closest relationship with my Anchan Commandery, a bond that has lasted for endless ages. Now that the Diancai Immortal has become a Celestial Immortal, he will naturally stand with our clan. Especially at a time like this, the stronger my Anchan Northmont clan is, the better. This is truly magnificent news."

"En." The Tuoshan Celestial Immortal nodded. "That is how I see it as well. But elder brother, what gift should we send now that Diancai has broken through? His sword-art is a Five Elements sword-art, best suited for five flying swords. How about we gift him five high-grade Immortal-ranked flying swords?"

"Do you remember that battle in the Primordial Fiendgod Era," the beast carving said, "when I slew the Five Ghost Patriarch at the Yuchang River? I acquired a set of five flying swords from that battle. I still have that set. I will gift them to this Diancai Immortal."

"Those are five top-grade Immortal-ranked swords!" the Tuoshan Celestial Immortal exclaimed.

"This is no ordinary time," the beast carving said. "In a peaceful era, five high-grade Immortal-ranked swords would be an exceptional gift. But you and I both know that the entire Grand Xia World is in turmoil. Even I can sense a coming storm in the dark. In this calamity, my Anchan Northmont clan could be wiped out. Therefore, I must be even more 'generous.' If I want his loyalty, I have to be willing to pay the price. Giving him this set will bind him to our cause. Currently, our clan has two Celestial Immortals; with Diancai, that makes three. Our foundation will be far more stable."

"Your thoughts are thorough," the Tuoshan Celestial Immortal said respectfully.

His elder brother had lived far longer than him. In terms of seniority, he was generations older, but since both were Celestial Immortals, they addressed each other as brothers. Still, the Tuoshan Celestial Immortal held him in great reverence, for he was the true pillar of the Anchan Northmont clan’s enduring strength.

"When you deliver those five flying swords, also invite the Diancai Celestial Immortal and Ji Ning to come and see me," the beast carving said. "I want to meet them both."

"Elder brother wishes to see them?" The Tuoshan Celestial Immortal was surprised. Within the Anchan Northmont clan, many generations of the Marquis of Anchan were unaware that such a powerful ancient ancestor even existed. Knowing their clan's true might was so formidable, the successive marquises had always acted with extreme caution.

"I must certainly meet the Diancai Celestial Immortal. If a great calamity truly erupts, he will be fighting alongside us. As for Ji Ning? His background is quite extraordinary. He might prove to be an even greater boon to our clan than the Diancai Celestial Immortal," the beast carving said.

…

Inside the main hall of the Black-White College, a celebratory feast was in full swing. The Diancai Immortal and the assembled Primal and Loose Immortals were gathered together, drinking and celebrating. In the midst of the joyful clamor, a white-haired, stooped old man leaning on a wooden staff entered the hall.

"Senior Tuoshan!"

Everyone immediately stood up, including Ji Ning.

"Congratulations, Daoist Diancai!" the Tuoshan Celestial Immortal said with a smile. "You weathered the Wind, Fire, Thunder, and Heart-Demon Tribulations and have achieved Celestial Immortality. I didn't bring much. I heard that you are skilled in the Five Elements sword-art, and my Anchan Northmont clan just happened to have a set of five top-grade Immortal-ranked flying swords in storage. I've brought them as a gift. You must not refuse!"

"Top-grade Immortal-ranked?" "Five of them?" "Did I hear that correctly?" The Primal and Loose Immortals of the Black-White College, whose experience was more limited, sent private messages to one another in shock. They had guessed that the Anchan Northmont clan would send a congratulatory gift, but they never imagined it would be so heavy.

Ji Ning was also surprised. He had guessed it would be five high-grade Immortal-ranked swords. That they were top-grade was completely unexpected. The Anchan Northmont clan was certainly willing to spend!

The Diancai Immortal was equally shocked. He naturally tried to decline, saying the gift was too heavy and would place too great a burden on him.

"Diancai, do not refuse!" the Tuoshan Celestial Immortal said, feigning anger. "If you refuse again, I shall turn around and leave."

And so, the Diancai Immortal had no choice but to accept.

…

The celebration lasted until dusk. Before the banquet dispersed, the Tuoshan Celestial Immortal secretly transmitted a message to Ji Ning and the Diancai Celestial Immortal, so the two went together to the Marquis of Anchan's estate.

Inside the Marquis's estate, the three of them walked together.

"Senior Tuoshan," Ji Ning said with a smile. "We've arrived at the estate. Can you tell us what this is about now?"

The Tuoshan Celestial Immortal chuckled. "The Tonghe Ancestor of my Anchan Northmont clan wishes to meet the both of you."

"The Tonghe Ancestor of the Anchan Northmont clan?" Both Ji Ning and the Diancai Immortal were startled. Where had this 'Ancestor' come from? When Ji Ning had been much weaker, he had even suspected that the Anchan Northmont clan might not have a single Celestial Immortal. Later, he learned of the 'Tuoshan Celestial Immortal,' but he never imagined there was another ancestor.

Ji Ning could not help but sigh. The foundations of such ancient clans were truly deep.

"Could it be the Flashkill Sword Immortal, the Tonghe Celestial Immortal?" the Diancai Immortal exclaimed.

"Correct," the Tuoshan Celestial Immortal said with a beaming smile.

"Master, who is the Flashkill Sword Immortal, the Tonghe Celestial Immortal?" Ji Ning asked, puzzled.

The Diancai Immortal explained, "I only know of it by chance. The Anchan Northmont clan has produced several Celestial Immortals throughout its history, but as the endless ages passed, the outside world assumed they had all perished. The most dazzling of them was this Flashkill Sword Immortal. He was a figure from the Primordial Fiendgod Era. In those days, he served under the Grand Xia Emperor, fighting in countless campaigns. His sword slew more Fiendgods and Immortals than I can count. Ultimately, he won the title of 'Marquis of Anchan' for his clan. But according to the legends, the Flashkill Sword Immortal perished in the battle on the Celestial River. How is he still alive?"

Ji Ning listened, his mind reeling. An old monster from the Primordial Fiendgod Era? A being who had won the title of 'Marquis' for his clan?

"Haha, the Tonghe Ancestor was gravely wounded in that battle at the Celestial River in the Heavenly Realm, but he did not die. However, it was a heavy blow to his spirit. He sank into a state of despair and never showed his face again. After such endless ages with not even a whisper of news, the outside world naturally assumed he had died," the Tuoshan Celestial Immortal explained.

The Diancai Immortal nodded in understanding.

"The five flying swords I gifted you were a set that the Tonghe Ancestor himself acquired when he slew the Five Ghost Patriarch back in the Primordial Fiendgod Era," the Tuoshan Celestial Immortal said with a smile. "It was his own idea to give you that set."

The Diancai Immortal nodded, then said to Ji Ning, "Ji Ning, when we meet the senior Tonghe, be sure not to be rude."

Ji Ning nodded. He was filled with curiosity about this legendary Tonghe Ancestor. A figure from the Primordial Fiendgod Era, who had led his clan through a brutal age of war, only to vanish without a trace for endless millennia. To endure such a long period without contact with other Celestial Immortals must have been an incredibly painful, lonely exile. Not every Celestial Immortal had means like Ji Ning's 'Seventy-Two Transformations' to pass the time.

"Here we are. My elder brother is inside," the Tuoshan Celestial Immortal said, stopping before an ordinary, unassuming courtyard gate.