Chapter 42: Ask Immortal Pavilion

When chaos reigned, powerful figures always rose.

Amidst the world’s upheaval, the imperial court could no longer maintain control. All manner of strange forces emerged, including countless new clans. Among these were legitimate Immortal Cultivator sects like Jie Ming’s Cold Mountain Temple, and underground factions founded by schemers—such as the Ask Immortal Pavilion once visited by Zuo Meng.

_Ask the gods and immortals at Ask Immortal Pavilion: Does the source of immortality exist in this world?_

Immortality was humanity’s ultimate desire. Though Ask Immortal Pavilion began as an ordinary organization, shifting high positions and the changing tides transformed it from mere informants into a ruthless entity that pursued immortality through any means.

Li Yuanyuan and Jie Nian had spent half a month studying outdoors.

Both successfully awakened their totems during this period, joining the ranks of coveted Immortal Cultivators.

“This is an Immortal Cultivator’s power. When I grow stronger, I’ll ride clouds like Brother Xue!”

After bidding farewell to Jie Nian, Li Yuanyuan prepared to return to Suzhou for rest and to study her Power of the Totem.

Hm?

She halted mid-step. The once-bustling market street now lay deserted. Stalls remained, but not a single silhouette could be seen.

“Miss Li’s talent is remarkable. Given time, Ascension surely awaits you.” A voice cut through the silence.

Dust swirled as the wind died, revealing a young man before her.

“Who are you?”

Li Yuanyuan cautiously channeled her untrained totem energy.

“Do you know my father’s status?”

As Suzhou’s governor’s daughter, she usually invoked her father’s authority. But this stranger showed no reaction. He stepped forward, blocking her path while unfolding his fan.

“I’m Ding Hao, Ask Immortal Pavilion’s Immortal Master. We invite you to join us.”

He snapped his fan shut, gesturing at the empty street.

“Your father’s mortal authority means nothing to Immortal Cultivators. Those ordinary soldiers can’t even perceive me standing here.”

“How did you know I became an Immortal Cultivator?”

Li Yuanyuan tensed. Only she and Jie Nian knew about her awakening—and the monk wouldn’t betray her.

“Ask Immortal Pavilion transcends mere Jianghu clans.” Ding Hao smirked. “Newly awakened cultivators like you hold no value. We only want your father’s future cooperation.”

“My father’s an ordinary person. I refuse.”

Born into bureaucracy, Li Yuanyuan recognized manipulation. She’d never aid those exploiting her family.

“Reconsider your answer.”

Ding Hao’s eyes hardened at her blunt refusal.

“No interest? Let me demonstrate the gap between totem users and true cultivators.”

Dust hung motionless as eerie winds coalesced, forming four ferocious tigers. Though made of grit, their roars shook the air. Paws cracked stone tiles upon landing.

“Totem summoning?”

Li Yuanyuan paled. She’d likened totems to martial arts, but this shattered her understanding. Immortal Cultivators operated beyond martial artists’ comprehension.

“Tigers? This is magic!” Ding Hao sneered. “Our inheritance divides into two: weak totem dabblers like you, and ancient cultivators like me wielding superior arts.”

The dust tigers attacked. Li Yuanyuan barely flinched before claws slammed her shoulder, sending her sprawling.

“Pathetic!”

Ding Hao loomed over her, fan in hand. “What use are totem weaklings? Who let you refuse me?” He gripped her chin arrogantly.

😔😔😔Golden Novel translates the best Chinese web novels for you!😔😔😔

_Swish!_

Cold steel flashed. Ding Hao jerked back, avoiding a flying knife.

“Show yourself!”

His fan flicked. Three remaining tigers lunged left. One shattered a tree trunk thick as two men. Wood splinters flew as the beasts flushed out a stumbling bald figure.

“A monk?”

Ding Hao stared.

“Master Jie Nian! Why are you here?”

“I sensed magic nearby.” The martial-trained monk dusted himself off. Recent events—Cold Mountain Temple’s fall, now this—proved his skills useless against supernatural forces. “I tried helping, but his power…”

“Help? Save yourself first!”

Enraged by the near-injury, Ding Hao unleashed full power. Dust swarmed as tigers dissolved into a gigantic gray roc.

The colossal bird’s talons ripped downward!