The Immortal Ascension Episode 13 Recap
> The Immortal Ascension Recap
Han Li successfully cultivated numerous Foundation Pills using precious herbs like Violet Monkey Blossom, Celestial Essence Fruit, and Jade Marrow Mushroom. He mused that while talented cultivators might only need two pills, his own lack of talent due to his spiritual root demanded at least ten for a successful breakthrough. He consumed two pills to test them, but the medicinal properties proved overwhelmingly intense, causing him to lose consciousness.
Upon awakening, he continued to take the pills, feeling a powerful warmth in his body from the residual effects. He realized that with the accumulated energy from the pills, he would die if he failed to establish his foundation. Enduring immense pain as his body was cleansed and transformed, Han Li persevered, condensing his Qi into liquid. He ultimately succeeded in reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, and to his surprise, also advanced his Qingyuan Sword Manual to the fourth tier.
Meanwhile, Chen Qiaoqian was also preparing for her Foundation Establishment. During her cultivation, she reflected on the dangerous events that occurred before the Bloody Trial Ground and recalled seeing a familiar figure's back, realizing that Han Li was the one who had eliminated Senior Lu. As a new aura of power emanated from the valley, other disciples noticed the phenomenon, confirming the emergence of two new Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Chen Qiaoqian immediately sought out Mentor Xu, inquiring about the other newly-established cultivator. Mentor Xu revealed it was Han Li, expressing surprise at his unexpected success despite his supposedly fake spiritual root, and mentioned that Han Li had just left. Chen Qiaoqian quickly pursued Han Li, catching up to him to directly ask if he was the one who killed Senior Lu.
Han Li feigned ignorance, claiming he was not strong enough to defeat Senior Lu at that time, and that his survival in the Bloody Trial Ground was merely luck. As he walked away, Han Li secretly regretted not having given her more Oblivion Pills. Chen Qiaoqian, however, insisted she knew the truth even without his admission. Concurrently, within the Yan Clan stronghold, Wang Chan treated the gravely ill Yan Ruyan.
Elder Liu observed Wang Chan's technique and became alarmed, realizing it was an evil art that absorbed others' cultivation. He immediately reported his findings to Lord Yan, warning that the technique was against nature and would lead to dire consequences.
Lord Yan, however, was resolute, stating that Yan Ruyan, possessing a heavenly spirit root, was the only hope for the Yan Clan to produce a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, which was essential for their clan's future and standing against the Seven Sects. He dismissed Elder Liu's concerns, emphasizing that cultivators below the Nascent Soul Stage were insignificant. Elder Liu requested time to investigate Wang Chan's background, arguing that even commoners check the groom's family before marriage.
Lord Yan reluctantly agreed but urged him to be swift. Elder Liu then met Wang Chan, demanding the 1,000 spirit stones they had agreed upon for his assistance in speaking highly of Wang Chan to Lord Yan. After receiving the payment, Elder Liu declared their agreement settled and stated his intention to leave the Yan Clan stronghold, wanting no further involvement.
However, Wang Chan, suspecting Elder Liu would betray him to the other sects, promptly killed him and reclaimed the spirit stones. A subordinate later reported Elder Liu's disappearance and presumed demise to Lord Yan, who calmly accepted the news. Wang Chan then met with Lord Yan, asserting that his prior actions, including treating and proposing marriage to Yan Ruyan, were merely pretexts to gauge Lord Yan's disposition.
He referenced an ancient promise, proposing that the Yan Clan rejoin his Ghost Spirit Sect. Lord Yan scoffed, reminding Wang Chan that the Yan Clan had separated from the Ghost Spirit Sect three hundred years ago and had no intention of returning. Wang Chan then revealed his true ambition: he claimed the Seven Sects had ruled the Yue Kingdom long enough and his sect could help Lord Yan become its future ruler, eliminating the need to beg for resources.
He disclosed that the Six Demonic Sects had already amassed an army and would soon attack, asserting that the Seven Sects would be easily crushed. He warned that the Yan Clan, situated on the border, would bear the brunt of the invasion. Lord Yan, however, remained skeptical, questioning Wang Chan's authority within the Ghost Spirit Sect, given his father's many children and the continued presence of his aunt, Hongfen. Wang Chan countered by revealing his exceptionally rare dark spirit root.
He explained that a union between his dark spirit root and Yan Ruyan's heavenly spirit root would be ideal for cultivating the Blood Spirit Spell, potentially allowing them to reach the Nascent Soul Stage. He promised that their future child would become the co-ruler of both the Ghost Spirit Sect and the Yan Clan. He emphasized that he personally needed the Yan Clan's friendship more than his father or aunt.
Finally, Lord Yan challenged Wang Chan to swear a Truedeath Oath with him, signaling his consideration of the proposal. Having successfully established his foundation, Han Li visited Mentor Ma at the Herbs Garden, expressing gratitude for Mentor Ma allowing him to tend the garden, which he credited as crucial to his breakthrough.
Mentor Ma advised Han Li that, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he should now address him as "Senior Brother Ma" and find his new master, Li Huayuan, as the garden was no longer suitable for him. Mentor Ma also thanked Han Li for a gift of pills that aided his moxibustion therapy. Han Li later formally met his new master, Li Huayuan, along with his senior siblings, Song, Wei Niang, and Wu Xuan.
Li Huayuan, dismissing elaborate rituals, immediately accepted Han Li as his disciple, urging him to cultivate diligently and uphold his master's reputation. Li Huayuan explained that cultivation was about defying destiny, requiring not just physical transformation but also mental and spiritual refinement. He stressed that while mortals had desires and obsessions that could lead to inner demons, true cultivation was about achieving "unobstructed thoughts" and "making peace with oneself," rather than forsaking desires.
He claimed this philosophy was key to his own success as the top Core Formation Stage cultivator in the sect. Han Li, still puzzled, sought clarification from his senior siblings. Song explained that the concept was not easily grasped, and that everyone's "obsessions" differed, giving examples like his own desire to eliminate evil and Wu Xuan's affection for Xuan'er.
During a sparring session to test Han Li's abilities, Song played his flute, and Han Li passed by correctly perceiving that "Silence is more profound than sound," demonstrating his newfound ability to sense spiritual power. Wei Niang then tasked Han Li with preventing a bird from flying without harming it; Han Li gently helped it escape, gaining her approval.
Finally, Wu Xuan tested Han Li's agility by throwing sandbags, which Han Li skillfully dodged, though Wu Xuan felt Han Li was holding back. Wu Xuan realized Han Li had reached the fourth tier of the Qingyuan Sword Manual, surprising his senior siblings, who knew it was usually trained only up to the third tier. They warned Han Li that from the fourth tier onwards, the technique caused power to dissipate every few days.
Han Li confirmed his progress had slowed, and his gathered spiritual power would gradually vanish. His seniors explained that while the manual was incomplete, with only the first nine tiers known to the sect, each tier expanded his meridians and deepened his energy pool, granting him greater power reserves than his peers, suggesting the dissipation was a unique side effect of the flawed but powerful technique.
Elsewhere, Hongfu informed her Grandmaster that the Clear Void Sect's investigation into the Bloody Trial Ground survivors revealed that half of them suspected Spirit Beast Mountain of being involved with demonic sects. She recalled that Spirit Beast Mountain, which originated from the Beast Taming Sect of the Six Demonic Sects three hundred years prior, had also advocated for changing the Trial Ground's opening date. The Grandmaster decided to summon them for interrogation.
The Grandmaster then met with Nangong Wan, congratulating her on recovering to the Core Formation Stage, though noting she had lost much cultivation. Nangong Wan attributed her losses to "the tombstone-erector," a curse aimed at Han Li. The Grandmaster expressed concern about Nangong Wan's troubled state and pressed her for details about what had transpired in the Trial Ground. Nangong Wan, disturbed by a flashback of her encounter with Han Li, deflected, blaming the bright sunlight.
The Grandmaster, seeing her unstable state, advised her to manage pending sect affairs to avoid developing inner demons. Nangong Wan later received a jade scroll from Yellow Maple Valley, an invitation from Li Huayuan to all Core Formation Stage cultivators of the Seven Sects for a strategic discussion.
She surmised Li Huayuan was just looking for companions for a casual gathering, but decided to attend, not only for the food but also to confirm if Han Li had revealed any secrets about her. She resolved that if he had, she would kill him, asserting that she would have to do it sooner or later anyway. Back in Yellow Maple Valley, Han Li reflected on the continuous dissipation of his power and the challenge of establishing his own cavern.
Remembering Mentor Ma's advice, he sought out a merchant at the Treasure House who specialized in spirit beasts. The merchant showed him a newly advanced Grade 2 Double-Pupil Mouse, boasting of its ability to locate herbs, steal spirit stones, and find secret realms. Despite the high price, Han Li purchased the mouse, keen to utilize its unique abilities.
