The Immortal Ascension Episode 29 Recap
> The Immortal Ascension Recap
Nangong Wan arrived at Yellow Maple Valley, noting the lingering scars of war. She hoped the valley's leaves would soon turn red again, signifying a return to peace. Unsure of Han Li's cavern location, she decided to inquire around. Meanwhile, Hongfu had returned to Yellow Maple Valley and laid Li Huayuan to rest beneath the snow mountain.
As Nangong Wan approached, Hongfu reminisced that Huayuan loved gazing at the snow mountain when he first joined the sect, and they had promised to return together. She believed he would be glad to return to this place now, though she grieved sending him off in such a way, having lost a drinking companion who loved the Masked Moon Sect's Drunken Immortal Dew liquor.
Nangong Wan asked about Hongfu's future plans, noting that Yellow Maple Valley's people had gone to the Nine Kingdoms Alliance. Hongfu declared herself a rogue cultivator, stating that neither the demonic sects nor Yellow Maple Valley's past affairs concerned her any longer. However, she had promised Huayuan to look after his disciples, especially his favorite youngest one, who was now missing.
Nangong Wan identified him as Han Li, a young man she had met before, remarking on his unassuming appearance but clever methods that had caught her attention. Hongfu agreed, describing him as unique despite his ordinary talent and often blessed with good fortune, even mentioning that Dong Xuan'er had missed him dearly after their trip to the Yan Clan Stronghold. Seeing it as Huayuan's last wish, Nangong Wan offered to help find Han Li.
Hongfu initially declined, saying she planned to search for them after handling current matters, but Nangong Wan insisted, explaining that she had nothing else to do as the Masked Moon Sect was negotiating peace with the demonic sects. Hongfu then accepted her help and thanked her. Han Li awoke to find Song Meng and Senior Zhong by his side, along with a silent, imposing man, one of Song Meng's friends. Song Meng offered him water.
Han Li inquired about the fate of the Yellow Maple Valley cultivators. Song Meng revealed the grim news: the Seven Sects had lost the war due to betrayal by Spirit Beast Mountain and Skyfort Castle. He delivered the heartbreaking update that their Master Huayuan, in a valiant effort to defend Yellow Maple Valley, had sacrificed his Golden Core in a battle against Grandmaster Yunlu and had passed away.
Han Li was stunned, realizing that Huayuan must have already resolved to die when he sought out Hongfu, seeking to find peace with himself. Song Meng then asked Han Li about his intentions, suggesting they regroup with other disciples and retaliate against the demonic sects.
Han Li explained that Master Huayuan had removed a Tracking Spell from him before his departure, making it clear that the demonic sects had always known their movements, implying a deep betrayal within their own sect. He believed that with their current strength, they were powerless to change the situation and expressed his unwillingness to be used as a pawn any longer, desiring a different path in life. Song Meng and Weiniang agreed with his sentiments.
Song Meng suggested they seek out Hongfu for guidance, but understanding Han Li's free spirit, he encouraged him to go wherever he pleased, reminding him that even if Yellow Maple Valley was gone, they, as disciples, still remained, and should strive to meet again someday. Han Li then bid his senior brother and sister farewell. Han Li sought out Qi Yunxiao, only to discover that he had already died.
Xin Ruyin explained that her husband, Qi Yunxiao, had succumbed to severe injuries sustained while fleeing from the Fu clan, who had relentlessly pursued him to this place. Xin Ruyin presented Han Li with two precious items: Qi Yunxiao's "Yunxiao Heart Technique," with all its restrictions removed, and her own comprehensive notes on array formations, alongside rare array scrolls.
She implored Han Li for a promise to avenge them against the Fu clan, notorious for their ruthless acts of robbery, murder, and exploitation in Yuanwu Kingdom. Han Li, rising to his feet, gave his word that he would seek justice for them when he possessed sufficient power. He also offered to alleviate Xin Ruyin's suffering from her Dragon Roar Body by refining pills for her, having found some recipes that, while not a cure, could provide some relief.
He offered to stay a few days for this purpose. Xin Ruyin gratefully accepted, promising to hand over the teleportation array to him once she completed its repairs. Three days later, Han Li returned to find that Xin Ruyin had passed away. She had left a letter explaining that the ancient array's repair demanded the life essence of an array master.
She had managed to partially mend and decipher it, but the ancient array's incomplete records meant she could not determine its exact destination. She expressed her trust in Han Li's good fortune to navigate any perils and requested that he bury her next to her husband in the mountain behind the hut he had built for her, which she considered her true home. Han Li honored her final wish.
Han Li then entered the forbidden area, noticing the surprisingly lax security, which suggested the demonic sects were unaware of the teleportation array's presence. Moments later, Wang Chan and his men pursued a gravely wounded Nangong Wan into the area. Wang Chan, recognizing Nangong Wan, commented on her resilience despite her injuries, subtly implying she might be responsible for recent captive escapes. Nangong Wan, irritated, snapped back at him.
She was inwardly frustrated, realizing she was only there because she had been looking for Han Li and wondering what he was doing in such a place. Wang Chan ordered Elder Gui and Elder Tong to attack, reminding them of their renewed allegiance to him. He then commanded his men to circle through the forest and cut off Nangong Wan's escape route from the cliff behind.
As the confrontation unfolded, Han Li discreetly ambushed one of Wang Chan's men, donned his uniform, and infiltrated the group. When Nangong Wan was close, Han Li suddenly emerged and seized Dong Xuan'er as a hostage, forcing Wang Chan to allow them to leave. Nangong Wan instructed Han Li to meet her a hundred li to the west. As Han Li and Dong Xuan'er made their escape, Dong Xuan'er recognized him, and Han Li removed his mask.
Han Li questioned her presence with the demonic sects. Dong Xuan'er revealed that Grandmaster Yunlu was her father, and Hongfu was her mother. Her mother had a past with her father, who concealed his identity; by the time her mother learned the truth, she was already deeply in love and pregnant with Dong Xuan'er. She explained that her father had forcibly erased her Yellow Maple Valley cultivation inheritance but her progress under his tutelage had been rapid.
However, she had heard that mastering his technique would drastically alter her personality, potentially making her forget even Han Li. Han Li reassured her, emphasizing that what mattered most was for her to remember who she was.
Dong Xuan'er then asked Han Li to leave her there, asserting that she would handle her father and buy him and Nangong Wan more time, playfully warning him not to get caught by Wang Chan again, hinting at Wang Chan's strange obsession with him. Han Li bade her farewell. Han Li proceeded to the agreed-upon meeting point a hundred li to the west, where he found Nangong Wan severely injured. He quickly reassured her, vowing that he would not let her die.
