Chapter 79: The Undying Asura Sutra

"Ah!" The man's anguished scream echoed as a frost blossomed from the wound in his chest, enveloping him in a flurry of white, and with a dull crash, his body shattered and collapsed to the ground, lifeless. Those present exchanged bewildered glances, uncertain of what had transpired.

"Wasn't someone just saying... Senior Brother Lin has such a gentle nature...?" whispered a few.

Lin Hao ignored the murmurs below. After sheathing his sword with a sweep of his hand, he strode directly to Fang Ling's side. Fang Ling herself seemed unperturbed; the man had come with the intent to kill her senior brother, and his fate was simply the consequence of his own actions.

Yet those nearby instinctively distanced themselves from Lin Hao, as if fearing he might turn his gaze upon them next. In contrast, Ji Tianya appeared unconcerned, a relaxed smile on his face.

"Numbers fifteen and sixteen," Elder Zhong announced, casting a meaningful glance at Lin Hao. Once the arena was cleared, his aged voice rang out once more.

This time, the contestants were a young woman whom Lin Hao recognized, and a man he also knew. The two stood in silence for a moment; the man looked somewhat embarrassed, while the woman remained calm.

They drew their swords and began. Because they were acquainted, neither fought ruthlessly. After a lengthy exchange, the woman gained the upper hand and won, leaving the man in quiet defeat.

The final match pitted Ji Tianya against a woman of the fifth level of Qi Condensation. As soon as she entered, she charged at Ji Tianya, clearly hoping to seize the advantage. Unexpectedly, Ji Tianya merely flicked his wrist, and a strange array appeared before him. A powerful force burst forth, knocking the woman unconscious instantly.

Their exchange lasted barely ten breaths; Ji Tianya claimed victory with a simple gesture. Though few understood his methods, many began to regard him as the top contender of the outer sect.

After leaving the stage, Ji Tianya shrugged helplessly, casting a peculiar look at Lin Hao. Receiving only a look of disdain in return, he fell silent.

"The next round will feature nine contestants. Three will battle together, and the top three will be decided," Elder Zhong declared, waving his sleeve. Nine balls of light floated into the air, which Lin Hao and the others reached out to grasp.

"The first three, enter the arena," Elder Zhong instructed, then fell silent. Lin Hao glanced at his token—number two—and entered the field.

Next came the young woman Lin Hao knew, and a burly man. As soon as the man entered, he let out a roar, brandishing a giant axe and charging straight for Lin Hao.

Lin Hao cast a cool glance at the woman, drew his sword, and unleashed a frost-laden strike. The burly man's weapon began to crack! He hastily discarded the axe, but his hands were badly frostbitten. With a look of unwillingness, he withdrew from the match.

"Do you still wish to fight?" Lin Hao paid no heed to the man, turning to the woman with a calm question. She hesitated, struggling inwardly, then bowed deeply to Lin Hao.

"Senior Brother Lin, I am lacking in skill, but I still wish to spar with you. I hope you will offer your guidance," she said respectfully, withdrawing a storage pouch and presenting it to Lin Hao with both hands.

"What is your name?" Lin Hao asked, his gaze probing. The woman did not rise, replying with utmost respect, "I am Han Yun."

"Very well," Lin Hao nodded, accepting the pouch and putting away his magical weapon. Han Yun’s eyes shone with delight as she summoned a long sword, standing ready.

"I cannot say how to instruct you, but for me, the essence of the Qi Condensation stage lies in the Art of Drawing Qi," Lin Hao explained. Spiritual energy surged around him, and a longsword swiftly formed in his hand.

The sword was crystal clear, composed entirely of spiritual energy, emanating a remarkable power. Cold air coalesced rapidly along its blade.

"The method varies with the spell. This is the Art of Frost," Lin Hao said as he finished. With a flick, he sent the icy sword flying to Han Yun’s feet. A surge of cold spread across the arena, coating everything in white frost and forcing Han Yun to retreat several steps. She gazed at the dissipating sword, enlightenment dawning in her eyes. Bowing deeply to Lin Hao, she left the stage.

Lin Hao said no more, dispelling the chill with a wave and returning to Fang Ling.

"Middle group, number three—enter the arena," Elder Zhong said thoughtfully, casting another glance at Lin Hao before turning his attention back to the crowd.

Meanwhile, atop the highest peak of the Inner Sect of Tianxuan Sect, a young woman in green stood silently. Her aura was formidable, even without intent, exerting a vast and overwhelming presence. For reasons unknown, she remained motionless, her gaze fixed on Ji Tianya in the Outer Sect square, a hint of worry shadowing her expression.

After a long moment, she sighed softly. "The Ji family from the Eastern Domain has appeared so suddenly... Could it be for the Heavenly Sword? Or... is there some other scheme..."

Back at the square, the middle group’s third match ended swiftly. The victor was an unremarkable man, apparently in his thirties—the same man who had won the first round by ambush.

"Last group, number three—enter the arena," Elder Zhong called. Ji Tianya entered with his usual calm, deploying an array beneath his feet that knocked both opponents unconscious. Thus, the results of the tournament were settled.

Elder Zhong dismissed the crowd and instructed Lin Hao and the others to return at noon the next day, when he would take them to the Inner Sect. After greeting Ji Tianya, Lin Hao departed with Fang Ling.

That night...

Lin Hao sat on the cliff outside his cave, gazing up at the hazy moon and listening to the insects in the wilderness. Restlessness gnawed at his heart as he drank from the wine gourd left by Bai Chou before departing.

"Senior Brother," Fang Ling, dressed in white, appeared beside him and softly called his name before sitting down. She looked up at the moon and smiled. "Senior Brother, isn't the moon beautiful tonight?"

"It is," Lin Hao replied, taking another sip.

Fang Ling smiled, looking at the bright moon. "My mother once told me a story. She said that within the moon lives a deity who knows all things..."

"Long ago, a scholar saved a young woman on his way to the imperial examination. Grateful, she wished to marry him. The scholar was destitute and reluctant to burden her, but upon her insistence, he agreed. Unfortunately, they soon encountered mountain bandits. The bandits sought to take the woman as their bride; the scholar resisted fiercely and was killed."

Fang Ling's lashes trembled, her beautiful eyes glimmering as she continued softly, "The woman, seeing the scholar’s cold corpse, was consumed by despair. Unwilling to let him become a forgotten skeleton, she agreed to the bandits’ demands. On their wedding day, she drank poison, dying alongside the bandit who had killed her beloved. The moon goddess, moved by their tragedy, used her divine power to fuse their souls into a stone bridge, ensuring they would never be parted again, nor plagued by worldly suffering..."

"Senior Brother..." Fang Ling finished her tale, exhaled lightly, and gazed at the misty moon with longing. "Do you think Ling’er could give herself to someone, as that woman did?"

"If you meet a worthy suitor, as your brother I will judge him for you," Lin Hao said softly, looking at the moon and sighing inwardly.

Fang Ling’s eyes dimmed at his words. She remained quietly at his side, saying nothing more. Lin Hao, truth be told, did not dislike Fang Ling—in fact, he cherished the pure-hearted girl deeply. Yet he carried the Blood Lotus and the Sacred Seal, and the voice from his dream half a year ago still echoed in his mind. Without resolving that mystery, he dared not speak of lifelong promises.

Both the Blood Lotus and the Sacred Seal still shook his soul whenever he sensed them. The voice had spoken of fate and calamity; his tribulation was likely approaching.

Lin Hao suspected this tribulation was tied to his origins. Whether he could survive, he had no certainty. Even if he faced an endless torrent, he would not lack the courage to resist, but he could not allow Fang Ling to be hindered by his troubles.

"Senior Brother..." After a long silence, Fang Ling murmured, her gaze misty, lips parted. "If Ling’er is willing to wait..."

Her voice was almost a whisper, yet Lin Hao heard it clearly and understood her heart. After pondering for a long time, he took another sip and asked quietly, "If you knew there was no end to the waiting, would you still be willing?"

"I..." Fang Ling was silent for a long time, deep in thought or weighing her feelings. Her eyes were clear, but somewhere in their depths lingered uncertainty.

Seeing this, Lin Hao said nothing further, drinking quietly from his wine, feeling a hint of regret. The two sat there, each lost in their own thoughts, through the night.

With dawn, Lin Hao left behind more than a dozen magical treasures and departed; Fang Ling watched his retreating figure, pain rising in her heart.

After a while, as if she had made some resolution, the confusion in Fang Ling’s eyes faded. Softly, she murmured, "Senior Brother harbors many secrets, never showing them even to me, always greeting me with a smile... It’s not that he dislikes me, rather the matter is too frightening for him to share..."

"Senior Brother is so weary... and he always cares for me so dearly... Though I am useless, one day I will shield him from wind and rain..."

Upon reaching the square, Lin Hao found a place to sit and wait. Before long, Ji Tianya and the other man arrived. After brief conversation, they fell silent.

At noon...

A rainbow streaked across the sky, and the newcomer wore Daoist robes, white-haired with a long beard, exuding an ethereal air—it was Elder Zhong.

Without many words, Elder Zhong waved his sleeve, sweeping the three away and flying toward a destination.

Soon, they arrived at a towering mountain and before a magnificent pavilion.

"Inner Sect disciples may choose one cultivation manual here. The identity tokens will be distributed inside. As Inner Sect members, you are separate from the Outer Sect—do not fight carelessly or harm fellow disciples. Breaking the rules brings severe punishment. Do not enter the Outer Sect as Inner disciples to cause trouble. Conduct yourselves accordingly," Elder Zhong instructed, then flew to the highest peak.

The man accompanying Lin Hao and Ji Tianya immediately entered the grand pavilion. "Let’s go," Ji Tianya said, smiling at Lin Hao and striding inside. Lin Hao followed without comment.

The pavilion was vast—many times greater than the Outer Sect’s vault. Numerous wooden shelves held thick books.

"New Inner Sect disciples may select any cultivation manual. Make your choice quickly," came a lazy female voice. They looked to see a woman in purple, lounging in a rocking chair, eyes half-closed. With her brief instruction, she drifted back to sleep.

The three began to wander among the shelves.

"Extreme Flame Art, Lightning Codex, Wind Command..." Lin Hao browsed the books, considering each and sometimes reading the introductions.

Though all seemed powerful—such as the Extreme Flame Art, which could boil seas and burn skies at mastery—none suited Lin Hao. The Seven-Step Spirit Immortal Technique he’d studied before was far more profound, its power immense. If burning the sky and boiling the sea were the ultimate goal, the fourth step of that technique, combined with the Fire Serpent Art, could achieve the same.

"Undying Asura Sutra..." Lin Hao’s eyes brightened as he surveyed a manual on the shelf. He opened the first page and was greeted by bold, majestic words:

"When heaven and earth perish, I remain. When all is destroyed, I endure. Cultivate the Undying Sutra, condense the undying seed, transform the body into an immortal Asura. Each level, a secret method; each method, a world!"

Though brief, the words struck Lin Hao to his core.

"This is a method for tempering the body..." Lin Hao mused, his eyes shining. He had never encountered a physical cultivation technique before.

As he read further, Lin Hao’s brows furrowed—the manual was but a fragment, containing only the first two levels, with nothing beyond. Searching the shelves again, he found that none of the other physical arts matched the restorative power of the Undying Asura Sutra’s incomplete volume.