The Immortal Ascension Episode 7 Recap
> The Immortal Ascension Recap
A Core Formation cultivator's impending arrival prompted a black-clad man to urge another person to quickly depart the area. As Nangong Wan appeared, she questioned what unruly creature dared to cause trouble. The black-clad man mused on the sudden appearance of such a fiend among rogue cultivators, wondering if it was the work of demonic sects. Nangong Wan then observed Han Li, noting his good fortune and concluding that a high-level cultivator must have intervened to save him.
Han Li, having narrowly escaped, realized the perilous nature of being a rogue cultivator and determined that to survive, he needed to join a legitimate sect. Before setting off for Yellow Maple Valley, Han Li briefly returned home, reflecting on his decision to leave the mortal world behind. He visited his family, including his third uncle who had come to take him to the Seven Mysteries Sect entrance exam.
He remembered his father, sixth uncle, Madam Zheng, and Gousheng’s families, who had all contributed to his journey, even pulling scallions for his farewell. He saw his younger sister, Xiaomei, now of marrying age. As he finally departed, he plucked a piece of cloud, intending it as a silent message of safety for his family.
Later, while searching for Yellow Maple Valley, an Ascension Token suddenly flew past him. He pursued it, only to stumble and fall, landing near a cluster of yellow maple leaves that signaled his arrival at the Yellow Maple Valley's entrance. Meanwhile, within Yellow Maple Valley, Mentor Fu Yunzi and Li Huayuan were engaged in a betting game, wagering on the number of new disciples being admitted that day.
Li Huayuan, eager to liven up the valley's atmosphere, had set up a betting pool for odd or even numbers of incoming disciples. Initially, with sixteen new disciples, Li Huayuan was set to lose his bet on an odd number. However, Liu Jing rushed in to report the arrival of a young man carrying a long-unseen Ascension Token. Upon hearing this, Li Huayuan quickly recalculated, realizing that sixteen plus one made seventeen, an odd number, securing his win.
He jubilantly seized his winnings, much to the chagrin of Mentor Fu Yunzi. Later, Sect Master Zhong Lingdao convened a meeting with the esteemed cultivators of Yellow Maple Valley, including Grandmaster Hongfu, Mentor Fu Yunzi, Mentor Wu Mian, and Li Huayuan, who had each brought valuable offerings. The primary discussion centered on the unexpected appearance of the Ascension Token. During this time, Foundation Establishment disciple Song Meng, along with Wu Xuan and their seventh junior sister, observed Han Li.
Song Meng voiced his discontent, arguing that someone with a pseudo spirit root like Han Li should not be granted a Foundation Pill by default, especially when he himself had to fight vigorously at Tianwu Arena to earn the right to one.
Despite his complaints and the junior disciples mocking Han Li's aptitude, the sect rules were clear: anyone bearing an Ascension Token, regardless of their background or aptitude, must be accepted into the sect and granted a Foundation Pill due to their ancestors' past merits. Sect Master Zhong noted that the annual Foundation Pill quota was already allocated, with one specifically reserved for the champion of the Tianwu Arena.
Li Huayuan proposed compensating the champion with gems instead, reasoning that they would have another opportunity for a Foundation Pill next year. Sect Master Zhong agreed to this resolution, then instructed Mentor Wu Mian to welcome Han Li into the valley.
Song Meng, as the Tianwu Arena champion, later received 300 gems as compensation, though he still expressed his dissatisfaction, lamenting that he was engaged to a girl from the Chen family who possessed many Foundation Pills, suggesting he could have obtained one from them. Mentor Wu Mian personally guided Han Li on a tour of Yellow Maple Valley, explaining the various essential locations and practices.
He pointed out the Qianji Hall, which housed basic cultivation manuals and alchemy recipes accessible by paying gems, and mentioned his own role there. He showed Han Li the living quarters for Qi Refining Stage disciples and explained that better accommodations in the rear mountain could be secured with sufficient gems or after reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Han Li learned that he could earn gems by undertaking tasks at the Baiji Hall, such as caring for spirit beasts, supervising mining operations for spirit stones, or instructing new disciples at the Chuangong Pavilion. Mentor Wu also mentioned that Mentor Ye, who oversaw the Baiji Hall, had an eccentric personality. They then proceeded to Mentor Ye's area to collect Han Li's initial supplies.
Mentor Ye provided Han Li with an entry token (which Han Li activated by injecting a strand of spiritual power), a tenfold storage pouch, a Cultivation Basics manual, a set of daily refining tools, a Solarflame Sword, a Cold Moon Blade, and a yellow entry robe. Mentor Ye also informed Han Li that all future acquisitions of gear and tools, and the expenditure of gems, would be handled through him.
After receiving his supplies, Mentor Wu confirmed that, according to the sect's rules, Han Li was entitled to a Foundation Pill in advance due to possessing the Ascension Token. He cautioned Han Li to guard the pill carefully, as many coveted it, and it could not be replaced if lost. Han Li, curious, asked when he might be able to reach the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Mentor Wu advised him to cultivate diligently and to safeguard the pill, regardless of his future success in reaching that stage. Han Li, understanding the implied meaning regarding his pseudo spirit root, felt that even with the pill, his innate limitations might prevent him from ever truly using it. Later, Grandmaster Hongfu gathered the new disciples for a flying lesson, explaining that the vastness of Yellow Maple Valley necessitated the ability to fly.
She instructed them to choose a leaf and use it to soar over a nearby mountain, emphasizing that cultivation required breaking mental limitations. She also stated that successfully flying over the mountain would be a crucial test for their formal acceptance into Yellow Maple Valley. One disciple questioned whether belief alone would allow them to fly.
Grandmaster Hongfu responded by saying that while others' abilities didn't define their own, true cultivators remained steadfast in both praise and shame, letting their hearts guide their actions. While some disciples chose to cast aside the provided leaves, relying on their own abilities, Han Li struggled, at first using his leaf like a tug-of-war rope. He then attempted to harness the power of Heaven and Earth, though his flight was slow, more like a crawling insect than a soaring creature.
Li Huayuan observed Han Li's struggle. Grandmaster Hongfu then lamented that giving him a Foundation Pill seemed a waste given his talent, though she acknowledged Han Li's perseverance due to his awareness of his own mediocrity. Li Huayuan's companion remarked that with such limited talent, Han Li might grow old and die without ever needing the Foundation Pill. Finally, Sect Master Zhong Lingdao formally inducted the new disciples into Yellow Maple Valley.
He emphasized that their sole purpose was cultivation, urging them to focus intently and avoid causing trouble. He explained that the first major milestone in cultivation was reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, after which cultivators would absorb the essence of the sun, moon, earth, and heavens, no longer needing to consume mundane food or take in worldly impurities. Therefore, even at the Qi Refining Stage, they should begin practicing fasting.
One defiant disciple insisted on eating a flatbread, citing a Core Formation Grandmaster who loved food and carried all their utensils. Later, Mentor Wu taught the disciples Aura Concealment, demonstrating its ability to hide one's presence. Another disciple mocked Han Li for attempting to learn this skill. Mentor Ye also led a lesson on talisman crafting.
