A Martial Odyssey 2

[boyzzzharry]

Thank you Avidfan

[geraldsaw]

“The Dual Celestial Progression is between two Celestials that pledge themselves as a pair, something like earthly couples."

Now it will be Triple Celestial Progression as Yixian gets into the acts too. Btw, what happened to his nose bleeds? Maybe it does not happen because this time he was not himself.

[szfong]

Hi Avidfan,

Where's this week's chapter...

[Avidfan]

Hi Avidfan,

Where's this week's chapter...

Oh hihi, I will post tonight. I was almost done but these few days the weather had been too hot and I got dizzy spells >.<

[Avidfan]

Chapter 22: The Secrets of the Heaveness



Youxue had led everyone to a secret martial chamber that was hidden behind the garden of the palace residence. From the looks of it, it had not been used for many years. What was astonishing about this secret martial chamber was that there was an extremely concealed secret chamber underneath!

Yi Ping muttered, “Youxue, how did you manage to find something as conceal as this? I am really astonished by your ability!”

Youxue was delighted that Yi Ping was praising her in front of the other maidens.

Yunzi was smiling at her while Lele was kicking the walls of the passageway while muttering softly, “This doesn’t make any sense at all. There is a conceal panel within a panel…”

Youxue looked at Yi Ping tenderly. If Yixian and the Ascension Goddess were not clinging to him intimately at the moment, she would have flown into his embrace and asked him shyly, “Really? I did well?”

But when she saw how intimate Yixian and the Ascension Goddess was beside him, she just said shyly, “There are more surprises inside.”

Yi Ping was really curious and he was walked beside her, smiling at her. “Then you must quickly show me! From the looks of it, I think even Ximen Nanqing is not aware of this secret passage!”

Shen Xingyue nodded, “indeed…”

She was secretly looking at Youxue, Yixian and the Ascension Goddess. For the first time, she was envy of them.

Even Lie Qing was resigning softly to herself and was wondering what was going on!

The Stellar Heaven Fairy was still startled that the all-powerful Ximen Nanqing was actually dead now. She was still in disbelief that a lower celestial could actually defeat a golden celestial!

Lingfeng was quiet.

It was not because she was envious but because she was thinking of her future with Yi Ping! Before she was aware that she was the incarnation of the Heaveness, she had already liked him and even her first kiss was given to him.

But even if she was the Heaveness, does it really matter to her?

When she was the Heaveness, she dreamed every day that she could be an ordinary mortal. She wished she was able to lead a carefree life, got married and had a family. That was because she knew that her next tribulation was the Heavenly Wrath. The Heavenly Wrath would only occur to the Celestials who had reached the final Celestial Stage. And her Heavenly Wrath which was to be her tenth was already her limit and she would surely perish unless she could find a way to ascend.

That was why together with the Universal Old Man and the Great Sage Lord, they had taken a huge gambit to find a way to the lower realm to look for the final clue to ascend to the God Realm.

They were all struck in the final stage; somehow the final path for the transmigration of the Gods’ Realm had been blocked. According to all their calculations and knowledge, there should be a final ascension. Unless they could find a way to transmigrate to the God Realm, eventually they would all be destroyed by their heavenly tribulation for it would only grow increasing powerful as it increased by a fold each time.

However when she had returned to the lower realm, she started to develop nostalgic for the realm that she had come into. In the past as the Heaveness and also an Ancient Celestial, she did not need to fear the Divine Calamity. She was never a celestial practitioner in the first place and she and her kind was supreme in the lower realm till they successfully transmigrate to the Celestial Realm.

In the Celestial Realm, the Ancient Celestials and the Golden Celestials that had successfully transmigrated from the lower realm were at the mercies of the Divine Wrath and the Heavenly Wrath.

Because she had missed the lower realm and would rather destroy her attainment, she discovered something that no one else knew about or had long forgotten when she regained her knowledge as the Heaveness.

As Heaveness if she were to remain in the lower realm, she was virtually immortal and did not need to transmigrate to the Celestial Realm or to the God Realm to seek immortality!

It was because with her attainment, she did not need to face any Divine Calamity at all!

She had a sudden thought then, “Is the different realm related to the state of divinity? What if the God Realm has an even more fearsome heavenly tribulation? If I were to return to the Celestial Realm, my state of divinity may not be able to grasp the full mysteries of the Heavenly Wrath and my cycle of Heavenly Wrath will begin anew again. Since I have previously been to the Celestial Realm and back, my state of divinity will now virtually render me an immortal in the lower realm. And because I had destroyed my old body, I was able to stop the Heavenly Wrath from happening…”

By a coincident, she had become an immortal should she stay in the lower realm, free from any Divine Calamity, Divine Wrath and the Heavenly Wrath that faced the celestial practitioners.

However, she knew that Yi Ping and the rest of her sisters were only mortals and that they must transmigrate in order to escape the Divine Calamity.

It was because the odds of passing through all seven celestial divinities were really low. Most celestial practitioners would not be able to survive the arduous tribulations. Even though the rest of her sisters were formerly celestial practitioners, they had all completely taken a new path now.

Moreover, the odds of surviving a Divine Calamity stacked against them, especially to Yixian the Celestial Fairy. Unlike the others, Yixian had to face the Divine Wrath which only happened to the celestials in the Celestial Realm. It was because she was too powerful and her state of divinity was too astonishing that a normal Divine Calamity would not have affected her much. She had survived one narrowly when she had first awakened but there was no assurance that she could survive her second Divine Wrath.

For the sake of Yi Ping and the other sisters, she chose to keep silence on her immortality and even agreed to guide them to the Celestial Realm with the Cosmos Stellar Formation which she had learnt in the Stellar Sanctuary.

It was because she knew that if they would be able to reach the Celestial Realm, they would not be affected by any heavenly tribulations until they had become a Golden Celestial. So they would slowly cultivate at their leisure.

It was because the heavenly tribulations in the Celestial Realm only affected the Ancient Celestials and the Golden Celestials!

However because there was no Divine Calamity in the Celestial Realm, there was no way for the mortals in the Celestial Realm to become a celestial practitioner either!

Only the mortals in the lower realm could be a celestial practitioner!

But maybe deep in her heart, she was still curious to find out the secrets of the Stellar Sanctuary and that was also the reason why she was back in the Celestial Realm. She had guessed that the Dark Lord of the Chaos Cosmos had previously returned to the lower realm to seek the Universal Force for eventual ascension to the God Realm.

It was because the Universal Force could only occur in the lower realm and it was the most powerful primeval force in the entire universe and extremely difficult to find or even seen in the lower realm itself. However, she knew that the Heavenly Earth Sword contained vestiges of the Universal Force and that was made the Ultimate Celestial Star Formation so deadly.

And the elusive Heavenly Earth Sword had reappeared from the heavens when Yixian the Celestial Fairy was facing her Divine Wrath, enabling her to overcome it and awakened as a celestial practitioner.

Was Yixian the one that could unravel the secrets of the Stellar Sanctuary and was the one that was destined to be an immortal?

Or was it Yi Ping?

Or the Holy Ascension Sect? While she was still the Heaveness, she had aided many celestial practitioners to avert their Divine Calamities. Among them were the celestial practitioners of the Ascension Sect. She was curious about the Celestial Dual Progression of the Ascension Sect. She had already noticed that the Eclipse and Axis Heaven Goddesses were already at the final celestial level but it seemed that something was preventing them from the final ascension.

Finally, a grateful elder of the Ascension Sect revealed to her some of the secrets of the Celestial Dual Progression of the Ascension Sect. In order to ascend, they required their own divine weapons and they followed an entirely different celestial path from the other celestial practitioners. It was said that an immortal being or a highly attained celestial had left behind this celestial cultivation method. This celestial cultivation method was arduous and extremely difficult to attain and had an unknown purpose once they were in the Celestial Realm.

If Lingfeng did not guess incorrectly, the Ascension Goddess and Shen Xingyue were supposed to be counterparts for the Celestial Dual Progression as well.

Even though she was intrigued by the God Realm, it was in the past. She was still the same Lingfeng that loved Yi Ping with all her heart. By any accords, it only enforced her desire to lead an ordinary life.

She knew that she had lost the innocence that she had when she had first met Yi Ping. She became aware that she had serious contenders and all of the maidens were also vying for his attentions. She was suddenly shy and she was even thinking, “This is so embarrassing. I have never expected to find the Universal Old Man so soon. Now I have to maintain the cover of my Heaveness self or he will surely tell all the other celestials what he has known about me…”

Her thoughts were quickly interrupted by Yi Ping who asked Youxue, “Xue’Er, this passageway to be in disused for a long time. These recent footprints that are in front are made by you?”

Even though the passageway was quite dim and the light from the torches were flickering wildly but Yi Ping who had cleared all his meridian channels were able to see clearly in the darkness.

At this moment, Youxue turned around and laughed softly. “If Brother Ping can’t recognize my footprints then I will surely be very upset.”

When Yi Ping caught her mesmerizing laughs and had eye contact with her, he began to fluster. It was because he could sniff her light fragrant and it was intoxicating to him; it was because he was still suffering from the aftereffect of the Forget Affections Wine that caused his willpower to falter. Moreover, Youxue was really a mesmerizing maiden that could stop people in their tracks when she had removed her veil.

Yi Ping thought, “If she isn’t always enveloping herself in her coldness, it is not hard for men to fall into her charms…”

All of a sudden, Youxue fell into his embrace as she gasped aloud!

Youxue asked panicky, “Xue’Er, what is wrong?!”

Lele answered for Youxue, “There are rats in this passageway…”

But she was secretly thinking, “I am also afraid of rats too but at the moment, there are no rats in sight yet and she already taken the opportunity to jump into his embrace. Because she has already used this trick once, it will be so embarrassing for me to use it later…”

Therefore she suppressed her fear.

She was not the only ones that were thinking of the same. Yu’Er, Mei’Er and even Lie Qing were also thinking the same as her!

Youxue was blushing when she was in Yi Ping’s embrace as she nodded shyly, “That’s right…”

When Yi Ping caught hold of her soft body, he was starting to nosebleed again. It was because he had suddenly recalled that Xue’Er was the Endor Vixen Fairy previously and that the White Sage had lost his chastity to her. He had also recalled how he had violated Yixian and the Ascension Goddess at the same time much earlier…

Now that he had recalled this, he could feel the burning heat of the Forget Affection Wine was stirring up again. He quickly tried to suppress it with his Absolute Spirits Heart Intricacy but because Xue’Er was hugging him tightly, he found himself grabbing her waist tightly.

Youxue gasped when Yi Ping had suddenly put his arm around her and she was flustered as her heart began to beat rapidly!

She had realized that she was suddenly in his embrace and it seemed that time had stood still for them. In that instant, she had forgotten that the Universal Old Man, Yixian, Lele, Lie Qing, the Stellar Heaven Fairy, the Ascension Goddess, Shen Xingyue, Yu’Er, Mei’Er, Yunzi and Lingfeng were all watching them with envy.

The Universal Old Man was sighing softly but no one knew what he was thinking about.

Lingfeng whispered softly to him, “Old man, if you are having mortal thoughts then you have better not forget that you are a celestial.”

Even though her voice was soft, Yi Ping and Youxue had heard it aloud and reluctantly separated from each other.

But as soon as they had separated from each other, Yixian and the Ascension Goddess were besides Yi Ping as they looked shyly at him!

Yixian said gently and was full of concern when she saw his nosebleed, “Ping’Er, are you alright? Your nose is bleeding now…”

The Ascension Goddess smiled gently, “I think…”

She stole a glance at Youxue before adding, “I think he still needs our care later. The effect of the Forget Affection Wine has not yet been totally purged out yet.”

Yi Ping was flustering and he did not know what to say.

All of a sudden, he had thought of something and he quickly changed the topic. “Xue’Er, can I ask you something?”

Youxue smiled at the attention that Yi Ping had given her and asked, “Yes, Brother Ping?”

Yi Ping asked solemnly, “When we got to the scene, Ximen Nanqing was already dead. How did you and the Stellar Heaven Fairy defeat someone as formidable as him?”

This was something that had been bothering him!

It was because Ximen Nanqing was a super exponent. Even if he could not overcome a strong opponent, surely he could still be able to flee?

Youxue said melancholy, “I was already at the brink of exhaustion and if he could persist a little longer, I wouldn’t have defeated him. He was trying to defeat us as soon as possible and tried to match me with his martial power and he had underestimated my ability to resist. If he was more caution then he wouldn’t be in that sorry state. In short, he was being impatient.”

That was the truth. Ximen Nanqing was used to being a Domain Lord for a long time and the instant he had met resistance from an inferior opponent, he had totally lost his cool. In a fight, the ability to keep cool was an important factor to determine the eventual winner.

Even though Xiao Youxue was able to use the Divine Virtuous Force, the Golden Invincible Body and the Divine Emerald Skill at the same time, the effort to maintain these three divine skills were considerable and she could only maintain it briefly. Moreover, she had to reserve her entire martial power for her offensive!

If Ximen Nanqing had paused to think for a while and used a delaying tactic, he would not have met his end so tragically!

Yi Ping nodded as he said in praise of her, “I really wish I could arrive earlier to witness such an earthshaking fight but the most important thing is that you are alright…”

Lingfeng could not resist a tease on him as she smiled alluringly, “But I am sure you are doing something even more important at that moment.”

Yi Ping began to fluster and even Yixian and the Ascension Goddess lowered their heads shyly away.

Youxue suddenly said, “Here! We have reached!”

She tapped and pushed a brick that was part of the wall. Immediately, there was a loud rumbling sound as the walls in front of them opened as it revealed a big chamber inside!

The chamber was vast and airy. Inside were many artefacts, books and scrolls that were covered with dust.

Immediately, the group walked inside and as they started to look around.

Everyone except for Yi Ping and Youxue immediately started to explore the chamber excitedly!

The Stellar Heaven Fairy muttered, “I have been in this place for a long time yet I do not know that such a secret passage has actually existed.”

Yi Ping was not interested in the artefacts or the secret martial knowledge that was in here so he asked Youxue, “Xue’Er, you mention that you have something interesting to show us but what it is? I see nothing but old books and…”

Lingfeng could not resist a chuckle as she leaned against a wall and her alluring soft laughs were infectious.

Immediately, the rest of the maidens except for the Universal Old Man, the Stellar Heaven Fairy and the Ascension Goddess were left wondering why all the maidens were suddenly laughing so merrily!

Yi Ping began to fluster deeply.

The Ascension Goddess asked curiously as she looked at everyone before looking at Yixian for an answer, “What is so funny?”

Yixian stole a glance at Yi Ping quietly but she did not say anything. After all, she did not want to criticize her husband publicly in front of everyone.

Yu’Er walked to the Stellar Heaven Fairy while Mei’Er walked to the Ascension Goddess as they whispered silently to them. Almost immediately, the Stellar Heaven Fairy and the Ascension Goddess were laughing so jovially that they had tears in their eyes!

The Universal Old Man was now extremely curious as he asked, “Can anyone tell me what is so funny? I want to know?”

Lele laughed softly, “If you tell me one or two of your intricate heart formulas, then I may consider telling you.”

The Universal Old Man smiled bitterly, “May consider only? Hurry and tell me. I am really curious or I can’t sleep tonight!”

Lele hummed coldly, “Never!”

The Universal Old Man could only smile bitterly.

But everyone seemed to ignore the Universal Old Man completely!

Yi Ping tried to salvage the awkward moment by asking, “Xue’Er, you say you have something to show to me?”

Yi Ping naturally knew why the maidens were secretly laughing. It was because he was almost illiterate. When he had mentioned there were nothing but old books around, Lingfeng could not suppress her laughs anymore. These books and scrolls were obviously very precious to the martial practitioners and were of great value but to Yi Ping who could not read, it was worthless in his eyes!

Youxue nodded excitedly, “Brother Ping, look at the contents of this scroll. Do you think that this posture is very similar to the Dominating Force?”

When Yi Ping took a look, he remarked excitedly. “I think this is indeed the secret manual of the Dominating Force!”

But he soon said, “It is unwise to learn new martial skills. Every school has their advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, the heart intricacy formula of all the formidable divine skills often clashed with each other. Greed doesn’t pay when it comes to martial progression…”

The Universal Old Man approved of it as he said wisely, “That’s right! I am glad that my protégé knows about this and can resist this temptation which has actually caused the downfall of many practitioners.”

But obviously Youxue and the rest of the maidens were not paying any attention to Yi Ping or the Universal Old Man as they crowded around the many martial scrolls.

Lie Qing was startled as she looked at Yunzi and Youxue, “Why is that the second half of this scroll has the same exact posture as the Invincible Divine Force?”

Yunzi was also startled as she said thoughtfully, “Can it be that the Dominating Force and the Invincible Divine Force share the same root before it got branched off?”

Lie Qing nodded, “There is a possibility…I wonder who is the owner of this place and where he is now?”

Lingfeng had took a quick look around and she was suddenly very solemn, “This place is the meditating chamber of an Ancient Celestial…”

The Universal Old Man had picked up some scrolls and he was saying excitedly, “The name of that Ancient Celestial is the Astrology Sage. He used to be our rival and always vying with us whenever the Stellar Sanctuary has appeared. This star charts…”

Lingfeng began to examine the star charts when all of a sudden, she exclaimed excitingly, “These constellation markings…I have recognized it. These were all the locations when the Stellar Sanctuary had previously appeared!”

The Universal Old Man was excited as well, “Indeed! I am wondering why that old fellow is always one step ahead of us! That is because he could actually predict the next appearance of the Stellar Sanctuary!”

Lingfeng nodded excitedly and her eyes shone, “The Stellar Sanctuary only appears briefly. With our current state of divinity, we can forecast the next timing of its appearance but there is no way we can know its exact location. This star chart may be able to gain us sufficient time to unravel the mysteries of the Stellar Sanctuary!”

Yi Ping was delighted to hear that as he said, “This is most excellent. I am honestly curious about the Stellar Sanctuary. Lingfeng, when you are free, can you explain what exactly is the Stellar Sanctuary? I don’t understand how it is able to fade out of sight and only reappeared every few centuries? This is really a most bewildering thing!”

The Universal Old Man was suddenly solemn, “Unfortunately even with my celestial knowledge, I can’t understand any of the markings on this star chart.”

Lingfeng was solemn too, “Neither did I…”

All of a sudden, Yu’Er exclaimed aloud. “These symbols on the Celestial Star Chart are arranged like harmonics…”

Mei’Er was excited too, “I think I may be able to decipher it!”

Everyone was startled.

Yi Ping said excitedly, “Mei’Er, you can really decipher it?”

Mei’Er winked at him, “I will definitely try!”



Ch22 End
Previous Chapter
Next Chapter

[Anh Nam]

Thanks Avidfan

[szfong]

Thanks Avidfan for this exciting update!

[HPC7595]

Thanks Avidfan

[ycb5959]

Thanks, avidfan!

[sanfore]

Thanks Avidfan

[Avidfan]

Thanks everyone!

I hope to see some interesting ideas on what you readers think of the next story development and what is the Stellar Sanctuary is about too!

Please keep the comments coming in, thanks!

[szfong]

Thanks everyone!

I hope to see some interesting ideas on what you readers think of the next story development and what is the Stellar Sanctuary is about too!

Please keep the comments coming in, thanks!

I think the Stellar Sanctuary will be the place where Yi Ping can finally get laid by ALL his maidens. It has many private quarter for each of his maidens and even more empty quarters for his future maidens and an extremely large pharmacy where he goes each day to retrieve aphrodisiacs to make him strong enough to perform and medicine to stop his nose bleeds during sex. Just kidding, of course...

Where is Chapter 23?

[boyzzzharry]

Thanks Avidfan for the weekly update.
Frankly I was checking everyday for the new update haha

[szfong]

Hi Avidfan,

I can almost see it that the Astrology Sage has a lonely, yet extremely beautiful wife and/or daughter. Since the Astrology Sage is always reading and writing scrolls, ignoring those closest to him, the ladies around him immediately attaches themselves to the White Sage, or a much better name, the Illliterate Sage. Yi Ping is attracted them, and they in turn seduces him.... But they offer scientific knowlege which none of the others can. Hehe.... once again, just kidding....

[geraldsaw]

Dear Avid Fan.
I can see that this chapter will take us into a more philosophical and intellectual arc. This will bring to light Yi Ping's role as a messiah to clean up the celestial realm. Thanks once again for this wonderful tale.

[geraldsaw]

Surprised nobody asked for the latest update. Weekend has ended.

[szfong]

I think Avidfan should give us an update by tomorrow, if he isn't too busy with work.

[Avidfan]

Chapter 23: The Celestial Star Chart



The Celestial Star Chart was large, measuring five metres width by three metres in height.

Yu’Er and Mei’Er carefully laid it on a large table that was in the chamber as they examined the map carefully.

They quickly got into the act by tossing bronze coins rapidly on the table and rapidly arranging them together with their slender fingers.

Yi Ping was completely mesmerized by them as he observed their intense expressions and sparking eyes.

All of a sudden, he was a little startled.

It was because he had always regarded Yu’Er and Mei’Er as little sisters to be protected.

He knew well enough how they had felt towards him but it was precisely for the same reason that he did not want to hurt them that he had never for once looked directly at them.

But today, he was suddenly aware that standing in front of him were two mesmerizing and sensual maiden in black translucent velvet dresses. They were extremely beautiful and their expressions were sharp and brilliant!

He had never seen them in this perspective before!

His heart was suddenly pounding hard as he watched them quietly…

All of a sudden, Lingfeng stepped on his foot and he was freed from his stupor. He asked, “Lingfeng, why do you step me for?”

Lingfeng smiled alluringly at him and she whispered with her Great Whispering Skill, “You! You are as bad and lecherous as that Nangong Le!”

Yi Ping was startled, “I…”

Lingfeng had secretly linked the Great Emptiness Translucence Skill with him, so she was able to sense his emotions. However, this was something that she did not want to reveal to him. It was because if Yi Ping knew that the Great Emptiness Translucence had this affinity linking, he could also block her as well. But if he did not know, then there was no way for him to know this little secret unless he could reach the epitome of the Great Emptiness Translucence Skill!

Yu’Er said breathlessly as though she was afraid of losing her focus while she was still rearranging the bronze coins seemingly in a patterned manner, “Surely this Astrologer Sage must be a highly accomplished musician. These harmonic patterns are according to the fifth, seventh pitches and this is arranged to the ninth harmonics. I am accomplished only to the seventh harmonics but all I can do now is to try my best.”

Mei’Er too gasped breathlessly as her eyes were everywhere on the Celestial Star Chart, “Sister, tell me if that is correct. This patterned sign here is the clue to the eighth harmonics?”

Yu’Er took a quick look before she exclaimed excitedly, “That may be! Let’s us try it!”

They began to reach out frantically with their nimble fingers on the map as they encircled the table at the same time, totally oblivious to everyone.

Yi Ping was not the only one in awe. The rest of the maidens were dazzled by their dazzling deciphering speed!

Even the Stellar Heaven Fairy and the Ascension Goddess who were also highly gifted in music were in awe.

The Ascension Goddess muttered, “In the past, the Eclipse and Axis Heaven Goddesses were said to be geniuses in mathematics and music. If I didn’t see it today with my own eyes, I cannot believe it…”

Yi Ping was startled as he asked, “But they are not, am I right?”

The Ascension Goddess smiled mysteriously, “You never know. They have extremely high attainment and are one of the first Ascendants members.”

She winked at Shen Xingyue and said, “I didn’t see my dear protégé sister for just a hundred over years and her attainment is now on par with me.”

Shen Xingyue shifted uncomfortably without saying anything.

Yi Ping asked, “Just over a hundred years? Shouldn’t that be over a thousand years?”

The Ascension Goddess said solemnly, “Just over a hundred years.”

Even Shen Xingyue was surprised, “Really? I know for sure you have ascended over a thousand years ago!”

The Ascension Goddess smiled, “My protégé sister, you may not know this but time passes differently in the Celestial Realm than the Mortal Realm.”

Everyone except for the Stellar Heaven Fairy, Lingfeng and the Universal Old Man expressed astonishment.

Lingfeng explained calmly, “One year in the Celestial Realm is actually equivalent to ten years in the Mortal Realm.”

The Ascension Goddess stole a glance at Yu’Er and Mei’Er before saying, “The Eclipse and Axis Heaven Goddesses have been in the Mortal Realm for millenniums. You can imagine their level of divinity and attainment.”

Yi Ping also stole a glance at Yu’Er and Mei’Er who were completely focused on deciphering the Celestial Star Chart. He was amazed that they could do so without being distracted by their conversations. But he also knew that the intricacy heart formula of the Eternal Ice Palace was the Emotionless Rhyme and was one of the most focused heart intricacy skill in the martial fraternity.

But at the same time, Yi Ping was sighing softly.

Lele’s expressions were melancholy and she was clenching her hands to her bosoms.

It was because they were both thinking of the same thing. Their daughter must be around four years old now if that was the case and they had missed the most important period of her young life.

Yi Ping thought regretfully, “Hopefully one day we are able to have a reunion together as a family but I will rather that you stay on the Mortal Realm and lead an ordinary life.”

At this moment, he did not yet know that his daughter was a born Celestial and would not be affected by the Divine Calamity and was destined to ascend to the Celestial Realm. But that was another story for now.

Lingfeng and the Ascension Goddess were affected by Yi Ping’s downhearted thoughts but they did not know what to say to him.

All of a sudden, the Ascension Goddess tried to cheer him up as she smiled shyly. “Yi Ping, how come you have never tried to ask for my name?”

Indeed Yi Ping was immediately distracted as he stammered under the graceful gaze of her enthralling smile, “I…aren’t you the Ascension Goddess?”

He had only known her briefly so he never had the opportunity to know her real name. And the truth was, they had start off as enemies!

The Ascension Goddess laughed softly, “I am sure everyone knows my celestial name by now. But you don’t want to know your future wife name?”

Yi Ping was suddenly flustering.

Lele said coolly, “What future wife? You still have to ask us if we permit you to do so. Don’t you forget that we still have an unfinished fight? Why are we letting a spy and an enemy into this chamber?”

Yunzi tried to hold her back but Lele broke free of her and had stepped forward with a defensive stance.

Yixian immediately said, “Lele, calm down please. She…I…she is one of us now…”

Not only Lele, Lie Qing and Shen Xingyue had also stepped forward!

Lie Qing said coldly, “Anyone that tries to hurt Lele will have to fight me as well!”

Shen Xingyue added coldly, “It seems someone forget to bring her divine sword and is addressing us with disdain.”

Yixian, Youxue, Yunzi, the Stellar Heaven Fairy and Lingfeng looked at each other, not knowing what to do. By right, they should aid Lele, Lie Qing and Shen Xingyue but they also knew that the Ascension Goddess seemed to have an attachment to Yi Ping and was just upset that she was being challenged.

So unless a real fight had occurred, then they would act.

The Ascension Goddess arranged her white and gold dress as she addressed them with an arrogant smirk, “Divine sword or no, I have already become one with the sword. I do not require a divine sword to fight juniors like you. You can all come for me at the same time. It is my pleasure to teach you all a painful lesson and for being disrespectful to me!”

She took a quick look at Yi Ping shyly before saying coolly to her challengers, “And the only one that is going to duo celestial with Yi Ping is me.”

This raised the eyebrows of Yixian and Youxue who had immediately stepped forward at the same time too!

The Ascension Goddess said, “Good! Every harem has a pecking order. We shall determine the new hierarchy then with our martial skills!”

Youxue said coldly, “And only the top in the ranking will be allowed to duo celestial with Ping’Er then!”

Yi Ping was panicky as he quickly said, “There is no need for a real fight. I am not going to duo celestial with anyone…”

But he was completely ignored by the maidens as they stared intensely at each other!

The Universal Old Man was also pleading aloud, “All these martial treasures and artefacts, all these martial treasures and artefacts…”

He was panicky and was now grabbing as many scrolls as possible!

Shen Xingyue said coolly, “There must be a number one, a number two and a number three. We cannot delay this inevitable anymore.”

Even Yunzi was secretly agreeing with her, “Even though we are all close sisters and have a mutual respect for each other but still, there have to be an order. I may not lose. After all, I am also a celestial practitioner now…”

The Stellar Heaven Fairy was secretly excited, “I can be included too?”

Perhaps Yixian the Celestial Fairy knew what everyone was thinking so she said gently, “Everyone today have an opportunity to prove their martial skills and to determine their positions in this new hierarchy. I am Yi Ping’s first wife and I don’t mind that we determine the new hierarchy in this manner.”

Now that Yixian had announced it, all the maidens were excited except for Yu’Er and Mei’Er who were still engrossed in deciphering the Celestial Star Chart in this huge chamber. They were all secretly looking at each other and forming secret alliances at the same time.

Even the Ascension Goddess was secretly looking at Shen Xingyue who nodded lightly and they seemed to have already reached a secret agreement to defeat the other maidens first!

But of course, most of the maidens’ primary target was still the Ascension Goddess because she was the most powerful and threatening in the group!

The Stellar Heaven Fairy laughed softly as she looked at Lele, Yixian and Yixian, “I may be your protégé mistress but you don’t have to be polite to me. After all, I am a Golden Celestial in my own right.”

Lele smiled bitterly as she looked at Lie Qing uncomfortably.

Even though the Stellar Heaven Fairy was warning them not to be soft on her but she was also warning them subtly that she was their protégé mistress!

Therefore they should not initiate an attack on her first as it was an extremely sacrilegious act!

Yixian was completely emotionless; her entire focus was on all the slightest movements of her opponents. She had rarely allowed herself to be distracted in a fight and her dignity did not allow for failures. She was determined to claim her rightful position as Yi Ping’s first wife!

Youxue and Yunzi had known each other since childhood. Therefore they were natural allies!

Youxue’s protégé mistress was Yixian the Celestial Fairy so naturally she could not attack her unless she had no other choice.

Yunzi other close sister was Lie Qing. Therefore she would never initiate an attack against her.

In this complex relationship, the Ascension Goddess and Shen Xingyue were the most obvious targets to bring down as they were also two of the most powerful exponents!

Except that they had all forgotten one thing. Lingfeng who was keeping quiet was an Ancient Celestial and potentially a powerful exponent!

Everyone had forgotten about her except for the Ascension Goddess!

The Ascension Goddess looked at Lingfeng as she smiled, “I know that you are an Ancient Celestial. Surely as one of the oldest celestial around, you are not weak. Why don’t you tell me your celestial name so that I can know who you are? After all, we are soon going to be close sisters. Am I not right to say so?”

Lingfeng smiled weakly as the attentions of the other maidens had shifted to her!

But now that the Ascension Goddess had brought everyone’s attention to her, she was now in the limelight!

Lingfeng smiled alluringly while ignoring Yi Ping and the Universal Old Man who were pleading for everyone to stop fighting and to withdraw their fighting stances.

Everyone was now looking at Lingfeng and was waiting for her to say something.

Yi Ping raised his voice, “There are no reasons for you to fight. Alas! This is really so meaningless…”

Lingfeng smiled and said sweetly, “That’s right. There is no need to fight. Ping’Er, don’t you worry. They are not for real. None of them dare to make the first move. They are taunting each other.”

The Ascension Goddess hummed coldly, “Who says I dare not?”

Among the maidens, Lingfeng’s intellect was also the most brilliant. She concluded that the maiden that made the first attack would not only be attacked by the other maidens and would also displease Yi Ping. Moreover, there are many martial treasures in this huge chamber and none of the maidens were blind.

The solution was to find them an opportunity to back off without a loss to their dignity.

So she said softly, “Since we are going to be sisters soon, I may as well tell you my celestial name. I am the…Heaveness.”

The Ascension Goddess immediately stumbled and she took a step backward but she quickly recovered her composure.

She took a quick glance at Shen Xingyue who nodded at her.

The Ascension Goddess knew that Shen Xingyue could not lie to her or else it was impossible for her to reach her current level of divinity.

So she could only ask the obvious, “Are you really the Heaveness?”

Lingfeng nodded and said gently, “That’s right. There is only one Heaveness in the Celestial Realm and that’s me.”

Even though the Ascension Goddess was already expecting the answer, she was still astonished. “You are really the Heaveness? One of the seven most powerful celestials in the Celestial Realm?”

She muttered to herself, “No wonder, she isn’t affected by my despairing aura even when she has no divine weapon in her hands.”

Lingfeng the Heaveness nodded and she pointed at the Universal Old Man who was stroking his long beard, “And he is the Universal Old Man.”

The Ascension Goddess was truly startled. Like the Heaveness, The Universal Old Man was also one of the seven most powerful celestials in the Celestial Realm and she was actually in their presence without knowing who they were? She did not believe it when Yi Ping had told her that the Universal Old Man was his protégé master...

The Heaveness was a legendary celestial in the Mortal Realm and was extremely mysterious. No one knew who she was and her celestial clan of origin. Before she had ascended, she had already heard of her but had never seen her.

But after she had ascended, she was startled to discover that the Heaveness was one of the seven most powerful celestials in the Celestial Realm as well. She began to wonder how it was possible for her to be in two realms at the same time!

Millennium years ago during the golden age of the Celestial Realm which was also called the Golden Era, the Stellar Sanctuary and the Astronomic Stellar Formation had suddenly appeared.

It was an earthshaking event that had caught everyone by surprise. It was because the Stellar Sanctuary and the mysterious Astronomic Stellar Formation had descended upon the Celestial Realm, igniting a race for its secrets!

This event gave the celestials that were already at the epitome levels the first clue that the Gods’ Realm had indeed existed and all the celestials were determined to be the first one to be able to transmigrate to the new realm.

During the flurry to unravel the mysteries of the two dimensional places, the Celestials fought among themselves. Overnight, entire celestial clans were annihilated and new alliances were formed!

The Stellar Sanctuary was actually a tower that measured hundreds of miles wide and its height reached to the clouds. The walls of the Stellar Sanctuary were indestructible and there was only a single entrance.

According to rumors, there were supposedly a hundred levels in the Stellar Sanctuary and each level was fraught with deadly traps and hidden dangers.

As for the Astronomic Stellar Formation, it was surrounded by deadly mist and whirling vortexes. Only the most courageous dare to venture deep into the Astronomic Stellar Formation. If the Stellar Sanctuary was impossibly large, the Astronomic Stellar Formation that had appeared next to the Stellar Sanctuary was impossible to gauge; it enveloped through hundreds of mountain peaks, extinguishing all life that was within the Astronomic Stellar Formation!

The seven most powerful celestials had not only survived the dangers of the Stellar Sanctuary and the Astronomic Stellar Formation, they had also returned with many unknown artefacts and secrets.

Out of the tens of thousands celestials, less than a thousand had survived and none of them dared to venture as deep as the seven most powerful celestials.

The Stellar Sanctuary and the Astronomic Stellar Formation only appeared for a brief period of time; exactly three months!

The Celestial Realm was vast. Each time the Stellar Sanctuary and the Astronomic Stellar Formation had appeared, its location seemed to be totally random.

To the celestials, time was really precious. They had to wrestle with lost time traveling across the Celestial Realm to find the exact appearance of the Stellar Sanctuary and the Astronomic Stellar Formation; they also had to overcome the intrigues of the celestials from the entire Celestial Realm!

In the entire history of the Celestial Realm, these two mysterious places had only appeared five times!

Since then, all the celestial clans and celestials had devoted considerable efforts to divine the next appearance of these two mysterious places; no one wanted to lose the opportunity to explore the Stellar Sanctuary and the Astronomic Stellar Formation!

The vast majority of the celestials of the Celestial Realm had never seen the Stellar Sanctuary and the Astronomic Stellar Formation. These two places were so dangerous that each time it had appeared, more and more of the Ancient Celestials perished in the attempt to unravel deeper into the mystery.

Just as Yi Ping was heaving in relief that the tensions between the maidens seemed to have cool off drastically, Yu’Er began to say excitedly. “There! We have it!”

Mei’Er announced breathlessly, “If we are not wrong, then the next appearance of the Stellar Sanctuary is at the Unmoving Mountains!”

The Ascension Goddess was startled as she gave a startled cry, “The Holy Ascension Sect is at the peak of the Unmoving Mountains…”

Lingfeng and the Universal Old Man exchanged glances with each other as they muttered excitedly at the same time, “The Unmoving Mountains!”

When Yi Ping saw their expressions, he had a bad feeling about it as he smiled bitterly, “Don’t tell me we are really going there? I don’t even know what sort of a place is the Stellar Sanctuary…”

Lingfeng laughed softly, “What do you want to know? I will tell you.”

The Universal Old Man clapped his hands as he roared with laughter, “We have always wasted so much time searching and running towards it. I have even missed it once. When I have reached there, I almost got killed by the many hostile celestials in the area. Finally I have three full months of time to explore the Stellar Sanctuary!”

The Ascension Goddess snapped her fingers as she said excitedly, “No, we don’t. We are going to the Astronomic Stellar Formation first!”

The Universal Old Man was unhappy, “I have been there once and I never want to go there again. Trust me, there is nothing of interest there compared to the Stellar Sanctuary. I have almost broken through to the thirty level of the Stellar Sanctuary. Every thirty levels supposedly hide a startling secret…”

Lingfeng quickly stepped him as she shook her head.

The Universal Old Man was flustered as he kept quiet.

But Lele asked, “Old Man, every thirty levels there is a secret? Why did you keep quiet for?”

Shen Xingyue asked, “What are you hiding?”

But the Universal Old Man stubbornly refused to say a word!

Lingfeng looked at the Ascension Goddess before she said quietly, “It is not that we are unwillingly to tell you. We pay for this secret with our lives and the lives of our companions…”

The Universal Old Man was trembling and there was a shred of tear at the corner of his eyes!

Lingfeng continued, “The Holy Ascension Sect is right in the middle of the Unmoving Mountains and they have a big advantage over the rest of the celestial clans. I can’t say if that is a good or bad thing for now. But it seems that we can’t trust anyone from the Holy Ascension Sect. We have been betrayed more than once even by the most honorable of the celestials. There are no one that we can trust so readily now.”

The Ascension Goddess pointed at Shen Xingyue, Yu’E and Mei’Er, “You don’t trust me or you don’t trust everyone from the Holy Ascension Sect? What do I need to do to make you trust me?”

Lingfeng looked coldly at her before she said, “There is a way. Only if you are willing to duo celestial with Yi Ping, then I have no doubt that you are not a spy.”

All the other maidens began to gasp aloud with shock.

The Ascension Goddess was flustered as she replied shyly, “I…I am willing. Why not?”



Ch23 End
Previous Chapter
Next Chapter

[szfong]

Oh no, only when it is about to get fascinating....

Thanks Avidfan!

[HPC7595]

Thanks Avidfan