The Immortal Ascension Episode 21 Recap
> The Immortal Ascension Recap
Following his master Li Huayuan's instructions to protect the Qin family in the capital, Han Li journeyed by ark, arranged to travel alongside Nangong Wan and other disciples. During the voyage, he overheard discussions about the ongoing war. A fellow disciple offered him recovery pills, and a female disciple asked him to buy cosmetics from the Moxiang Abode in the capital, cautioning him to keep it secret from Senior Liu.
Noticing Nangong Wan, Han Li chose to feign ignorance, recalling their previous agreement from the forbidden land. This visibly irritated Nangong Wan, who internally fumed at his lack of greeting, considering him beneath her attention despite her advanced cultivation. Upon reaching Yuanwu Kingdom, Han Li disembarked early, prompting a disciple to question his departure before reaching the capital. Han Li, citing other commitments, entrusted the disciple with an Ageless Pill to deliver to Senior Nangong.
Nangong Wan was initially offended by the gift, wondering if Han Li thought she was old, but eventually accepted it, instructing the disciple to keep it secret from her senior sister. Han Li, meanwhile, was heading to find Qi Yunxiao and his array master to inquire about an ancient teleport array. Han Li soon arrived at an auction in Yuanwu Kingdom. Inside, he observed various items, including a top-grade Flamecloud Sword and Ageless Pills from the Joyful Union Sect.
His attention was drawn to a Millennium Golden Glow Ganoderma, which was up for auction without a starting bid. Han Li recognized it as the one he had previously sold to Treasure House, leading him to suspect that the auction's backer was Wang Yu (or the "shady merchant uncle" as per his internal thought).
During the bidding, the Artifact Crafter Qi Yunxiao dramatically entered, declaring his intent to acquire the Ganoderma to save a life and offering two high-grade arrays in exchange. Despite his plea, Qi Yunxiao was forcibly ejected by guards. Outside, he was ambushed by cultivators from the powerful Fu Clan of Yuanwu. Han Li intervened, saving Qi Yunxiao and his companion, Xin Ruyin, who had been injured in the scuffle.
Upon entering their residence, Xin Ruyin expressed her gratitude, revealing that Qi Yunxiao often spoke of Han Li and that the Millennium Spirit Herb he had previously provided was used in her treatment. Qi Yunxiao, concerned for Han Li's safety, warned him about the Fu Clan, urging him to leave. However, Han Li assured them he had erased all traces of their encounter and suggested Qi Yunxiao and Xin Ruyin find a quiet place to lay low.
Han Li then presented them with an ancient teleport array diagram, seeking their expertise. Xin Ruyin, a skilled array master, was amazed by its existence, confirming its ability to teleport across vast distances, but noted it required a Greater Teleport Command Seal to withstand spatial turbulence. She regretfully informed Han Li that the array was incomplete, missing a crucial part, and its repair would necessitate numerous high-grade materials and involve a secret art.
She also mentioned her own ailing health as an impediment to helping. Han Li immediately offered to cover all costs for the repairs, even offering another Millennium Golden Glow Ganoderma for the trade. Qi Yunxiao eagerly urged Xin Ruyin to accept, believing her illness could be cured. However, Xin Ruyin confessed that her condition, the Dragon Roar Body, was innate; her meridians would gradually wither with cultivation, rendering it incurable by medicine.
She felt blessed to have lived so long and didn't want to waste Han Li's spirit herb, also expressing concern that the ancient teleport array would attract attention from the rising demonic sects. Understanding her unspoken fear of being abandoned or silenced once her use was over, Han Li dispelled her doubts.
He explained that he was a free spirit who disliked conflict but, with the world entering a chaotic era, he sought the ancient teleport array as a personal escape route. Han Li also revealed his knowledge of medicine, assuring her that no disease was truly incurable, only yet to be understood.
Both Han Li and Qi Yunxiao encouraged Xin Ruyin not to lose hope, emphasizing that with the array, they could go anywhere, and a cure for her would be found. Reassured, Xin Ruyin then asked if Han Li would take them with him if a time of grave danger truly arrived, to which Han Li readily agreed.
Upon arriving in the bustling capital, Han Li reflected on its deceptive tranquility amidst the chaotic cultivation world, wondering how long such peace could last. He observed a little girl named Cui'er playfully running from her grandpa, Xiao Zhen. Han Li noticed that Xiao Zhen, a Qi Refining Stage cultivator, was using Aura Concealment, which piqued his interest. Xiao Zhen, unable to perceive Han Li's true power, immediately prostrated himself, apologizing profusely for his perceived offense.
Han Li calmly reassured him, stating that he had memorized Xiao Zhen's unique aura and would seek him out again after completing his current business. Before leaving, Han Li inquired about the location of the Qin Residence. Han Li arrived at the Qin Residence, encountering a hostile gatekeeper before being formally received by the patriarch, Prime Minister Qin Yan.
Qin Yan, recognizing Han Li's status as a cultivator, expressed his gratitude, recalling his late father's prophecy that Master Li would aid the family during a coming disaster. Han Li confirmed his purpose, stating that he was sent by his master to help the Qin family survive an impending catastrophe and would be staying for a few days. To maintain secrecy, he proposed they refer to each other as uncle and nephew.
Meanwhile, Qin Yan's wife and son, Qin Fei, openly discussed their suspicions, viewing Han Li as another potential swindler. Their butler, however, reported that Prime Minister Qin Yan had become gravely serious and dismissed all servants after reading a letter from Han Li, a reaction he had never witnessed before. Qin Fei, filled with arrogance, even demanded that the butler throw out Qin Gui, the gatekeeper.
That night, Han Li noticed that the unique aura he had marked on Xiao Zhen had suddenly vanished from its last known location, indicating a recent incident. He soon found Cui'er amidst a chaotic scene, her grandpa Xiao Zhen having been forcibly taken. Cui'er revealed that her grandpa, along with other rogue cultivators, had been abducted by the Black Fiend Cult, who promised to share a secret technique to bypass the need for Foundation Pills and achieve breakthroughs.
Desperate, Cui'er pleaded with Han Li to save Xiao Zhen, offering him a priceless book containing the Aura Concealment technique or even her servitude. Han Li, however, initially refused, stating he couldn't help her. Cui'er, heartbroken and frustrated, accused him of being a hypocrite who, like other powerful cultivators, didn't care for the fate of rogue cultivators.
She remorsefully blamed herself and Han Li, believing that if he hadn't shown interest in her grandpa's Aura Concealment, Xiao Zhen wouldn't have left the city that night. Despite Cui'er's pleas, Han Li remained resolute in his initial refusal to intervene. When the Qin Residence's steward, Steward Wang, approached, Han Li swiftly used a spell to render Cui'er invisible, instructing her to wait.
He then internally mused that the abducted rogue cultivators were likely kept alive for some purpose, probably held in different, separate locations due to the sheer number. Steward Wang informed Han Li that Prime Minister Qin Yan wished for his presence in the front hall, as Prince Xin had sent an invitation for a banquet, and the Prime Minister intended for Han Li to accompany him.
At the lavish banquet, Prince Xin introduced a cultivator, Wu Sanxing, who demonstrated a basic fireball technique with remarkable precision. Han Li, observing Wu Sanxing, detected a strong demonic aura but noted that his cultivation was actually quite weak, only a Tier 5 Qi Refiner, suggesting he posed little threat. He also observed that, apart from Wu Sanxing, the other attendees seemed to be mortals. It was then that Han Li noticed Mo Caihuan present at the event.
As Han Li moved through the banquet, he encountered Mo Caihuan. She identified the performer, Wu Sanxing, as the Sect Leader of the Five-Color Sect, the man responsible for the massacre of her entire clan, and declared her intention for immediate revenge. Han Li intervened, warning her that confronting him now would be suicidal given his dangerous, demonic cultivation.
Mo Caihuan, acknowledging the risk, chose to defer her vengeance, vowing to approach it strategically, step by step, as Han Li and her father had taught her, until she could find a weakness and ultimately kill him, regardless of the time or method required. She also confessed her long-held feelings for Han Li and her determination to live a meaningful life despite being a mortal. Recognizing her unwavering resolve, Han Li led Mo Caihuan to Wu Sanxing's room.
Han Li confronted the cultivator, stating that his operations had been compromised and demanding he confess his guilt. Wu Sanxing, identifying himself as a rogue cultivator named Wu Sanxing and nervously admitting his "Fire Control Technique" was a self-taught trick to deceive mortals, offered it to Han Li in a bid to appease him. Han Li silently noted Wu Sanxing's shrewdness and experience in dealing with the mortal world.
