The Immortal Ascension Episode 18 Recap
> The Immortal Ascension Recap
Xuan Yue and Lv Tianmeng, two cultivators from the Moonshadow Sect and Spirit Beast Mountain, discussed plans to ditch the Yellow Maple Valley cultivators they were supposed to be allied with. Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of an injured Dong Xuan'er, a Yellow Maple Valley disciple, who desperately urged them to save Han Li, warning he was in grave danger.
Chen Qiaoqian, also from Yellow Maple Valley, quickly decided Dong Xuan'er needed immediate medical attention and tasked Wu Xuan, another disciple, with escorting her back to Yellow Maple Valley. Dong Xuan'er safely reached Yellow Maple Valley, where she reported to her master, Li Huayuan, and Hongfu, Li Huayuan's senior martial sister. She frantically recounted how the Yan Clan Stronghold Lord had sided with the demonic sects, and Han Li had bravely fought to cover her escape.
Li Huayuan reassured her that Han Li was resourceful and had likely found a way to escape on his own, promising to send Liu Jing to search for him. Hongfu expressed her concern for Han Li's safety, while Li Huayuan dismissed her worries, confident in Han Li's abilities. He also advised Hongfu not to worry about Dong Xuan'er's identity being exposed, vowing to protect them both.
Meanwhile, Han Li, having successfully escaped the Yan Clan Stronghold, encountered Chen Qiaoqian, Xuan Yue, and Lv Tianmeng. Xuan Yue informed Han Li that their mission had changed; they were now ordered to seize a nearby gem quarry belonging to the Yan Clan Stronghold before the demonic sects could. Chen Qiaoqian suggested Han Li, who appeared injured, should return to the Valley to recover.
However, Lv Tianmeng, brandishing an official dispatch from the coalition, insisted Han Li join them, arguing that all Foundation Establishment disciples were assigned tasks. Sensing something was amiss—given their small number, securing and holding a quarry seemed impossible—Han Li reluctantly agreed to join them.
Upon arriving at the quarry, which was lightly guarded by mortals and low-level cultivators, Xuan Yue and Lv Tianmeng instructed Han Li and Chen Qiaoqian to establish defensive arrays while they claimed they would scout the surrounding area for any remaining demonic forces. In reality, Xuan Yue and Lv Tianmeng planned to secretly plunder the gem quarry, discussing how the wealth would be "fairly earned" after the Yan Clan's betrayal.
Han Li, suspicious of their clandestine behavior, used his Great Deployment Art to enhance his spiritual sense and prepared a puppet to scout the mine tunnels. He realized that both the Yan Clan and the demonic sects would not easily abandon such a valuable resource, and prepared for a fierce fight. Later, as Chen Qiaoqian and her disciples busily set up the defensive arrays, Han Li checked on her, reassuring her that his injuries had healed.
He expressed his concern that their current defenses would be insufficient against a potential demonic army led by Core Formation cultivators, especially with the two seniors, Xuan Yue and Lv Tianmeng, still unaccounted for. Chen Qiaoqian agreed with his assessment. Han Li then proposed they divide their efforts: Chen Qiaoqian should stay to manage the defensive arrays, while he would search for Xuan Yue and Lv Tianmeng.
While scouting the mine with his puppet, Han Li's probe encountered Wang Chan and his demonic forces. Wang Chan, upon sensing the puppet's strong spiritual presence and its quick retreat, immediately suspected it was 'Li Feiyu'. His subordinate confirmed the quarry had been occupied by cultivators from the Seven Sects, further solidifying Wang Chan's belief that 'Li Feiyu' was there. As the demonic forces approached, a Yellow Maple Valley emergency flare lit up the sky, signaling an imminent attack.
Inside the quarry, Han Li overheard Xuan Yue and Lv Tianmeng discussing their scheme to abandon their allies, leaving only two of their own disciples each behind to maintain appearances while they escaped with the pilfered gems. Recognizing their deceit and superior cultivation, Han Li realized he had to escape before they discovered his presence.
As Wang Chan's forces launched their assault, Chen Qiaoqian quickly ordered her disciples to channel their spiritual stones into the Four-Menace Array, activating the primary defense. Wang Chan, determined to break through, ordered his subordinates to deploy the powerful Blue-Sun Blaze, a rare and valuable magic fire. Despite his subordinate's concerns about wasting such a precious resource, Wang Chan insisted, believing the target to be 'Li Feiyu' and the Seven Sects' elite.
The Blue-Sun Blaze unleashed a devastating assault, its power comparable to a Core Formation cultivator's strike. Chen Qiaoqian and her disciples struggled to hold the line. Remembering Han Li's earlier advice to retreat into the quarry if things turned critical, she ordered everyone to pour their remaining spiritual stones into the array to buy precious time.
As she directed her disciples to fall back into the maze-like tunnels of the mine, preparing to be the last one to retreat, Xuan Yue and Lv Tianmeng, preparing to flee with their ill-gotten gains, suddenly spotted Han Li.
