Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Omniscient Me in the Rain

The Ninefold Heaven is the lower realm of the Celestial Court, a place where countless immortals and deities leisurely wander, and where celestial maidens, Daoist priestesses, and exalted immortals refine their spiritual minds. Moreover, it is the site where the Supreme Lord of Spiritual Treasures, one of the ancient Three Pure Ones, manifests in the mortal world, enlightening all immortals and expounding the Dao. For all manner of mountain spirits, wandering souls, birds, beasts, demons, and specters, as long as they are devoted to goodness and do not question their fate, they may all take the Supreme Lord of Spiritual Treasures as their master.

Why do these mountain spirits and monsters seek to join his sect? It is because the Sect of Severance under the Nine Heavens is the most powerful of all the myriad immortal sects throughout the Eastern Continent. While its rules are strict, it openly professes that education is for all without discrimination. Whether immortal or mortal, spirit or demon, mountain goblin or fiendish beast, as long as one has sufficient spiritual intelligence, a fateful connection to the Dao, unwavering resolve, and will never betray the sect, Severance will accept and treat them equally. This is one reason why the Sect of Severance stands above all other immortal sects in the Eastern Heavenly Realm. Known as the greatest sect under heaven, within the four seas and eight wildernesses beneath the Nine Heavens, countless disciples and myriad immortals come to pay homage. Its influence is vast, its power immense, domineering and unrestrained; even the gods of the Celestial Court show them considerable deference.

The cloud-laden staircase, veiled in white mist, was both serene and buoyant, yet felt solid and weighty beneath each step. Hao Dan ascended step by step, and outside the drifting clouds, celestial cranes, blue luan birds, and myriad wind sparrows danced and circled, their calls and the soft beating of their wings echoing endlessly in his ears.

“We meet again, do we not?” A voice, faintly familiar, sounded at this moment.

“Who is it?”

Hao Dan, who had been full of wonder, was startled by the sudden voice. Yet, having seen much of the world, he did not panic.

A figure in purple Daoist robes, with silver hair cascading, stood with hands clasped behind his back, floating in midair—his aura gentle and pure as jade. Looking up, Hao Dan recognized him as the All-Knowing Immortal, Wo Luoyu.

“Wo Luoyu?” Hao Dan regarded him with curiosity.

“Indeed, it is I.” Wo Luoyu was ever modest, never referring to himself as ‘this honored one’.

“Did you already know I would come here?”

Hao Dan seemed to sense something amiss. This All-Knowing Immortal was famed for his omniscience beneath the Nine Heavens.

“Not only did I know you would come to rescue little Bai Ling, I also knew it was Lord Lu Ya who brought you here,” Wo Luoyu replied, seeing through all things.

“Don’t ask how I know; I shall not tell you.”

Hao Dan was left speechless, so he asked instead, “Where is Bai Ling now?”

“Even if I take you to her, what could you do with your current strength?” Wo Luoyu said, jade flute in hand, looking every bit the scholar.

“I won’t know until I try!” Hao Dan insisted, undeterred.

“Do you recall the ‘Celestial Marshal of the Heavens’?”

Wo Luoyu deliberately brought him up, wanting Hao Dan to remember how that figure had nearly killed him in three moves—how could he ever forget? It was seared into his memory.

“Do you understand? If you wish to rescue Bai Ling, you must challenge the immortals of the Ninefold Heaven in order, ascending heaven by heaven, including myself,” Wo Luoyu said with a slight smile, direct and forthright.

“Then so be it—let there be battle!” Hao Dan showed no fear.

“Keep in mind, you don’t have much time. One day in heaven is a year on earth. If you delay here a single day, the mortal world will have changed beyond recognition. Your adoptive father, Cheng Tang, is even now fleeing for his life, pursued by countless formidable foes of the Great Xia,” Wo Luoyu revealed, perhaps with deeper intent.

These words set Hao Dan’s heart awhirl. To hesitate now would be laughable. He had already ascended to the heavens—there was no retreat. On one side was little Bai Ling, on the other his adoptive father! If forced to choose, he would not, for now that he was here, it was too late to descend and rescue Bai Ling again. His resolve remained unwavering.

“If you will not help, at least do not shake my resolve. It is no small feat for a mortal to ascend to heaven. Now that I am here, I shall overturn the Ninefold Heaven itself. If I do not rescue Bai Ling, I will have no face to see either her or my father again!” Hao Dan’s words carried a double meaning; to him, saving Bai Ling was a must—for her sake, and for his adoptive father’s.

“Well said! Bai Ling did not misjudge you after all. You little heart-thief, I will help you!” Wo Luoyu’s eyes shone with appreciation.

“If you trust me, then follow,” he said, turning. With a wave of his jade flute, a crystalline pyramid emerged from the mists, shifting and ethereal. The clouds parted, revealing a path. Wo Luoyu strode inside with hands clasped behind his back.

Hao Dan leaped in without hesitation.

“This place is called ‘Heaven’s Attraction’. It lies beneath the ninefold clouds—a tower of heavenly attraction, the place where the souls of all living beings in the three realms are drawn after death,” Wo Luoyu explained patiently, seeing Hao Dan’s amazement. “Here are stored the heavenly souls of all creatures, immortal or demonic. Even after the fall of ancient mighty ones and great immortals, their souls return here.”

“In all creation, after death, the earth soul returns to the netherworld for reincarnation, while the human soul remains in the mortal world, gradually dissipating with the myriad souls. Of the three souls, the human soul alone can attach itself to worldly things, which is why strange phenomena sometimes occur—caused by countless masterless souls. If a reincarnated person absorbs such a soul, they may awaken memories.”

“That’s enough on the three souls for now. Here, you will also encounter mountain spirits, monsters, and fierce beasts in soul form. You can battle these spirits and fiends, honing your arts and combat skills—you may even reap unexpected rewards. But heed my warning: do not grow complacent here. If you let down your guard, you could lose your life. You must employ everything you have learned, leaving nothing in reserve. Should you die here, do not blame me!”

Hao Dan found this incredible. Entering this inner world was like stepping into another realm. The heavens and earth remained, clouds and mist drifted, the mountains and rivers were beautiful, the land and seas, streams and brooks—all were present, with spiritual energy far richer than the outside world.

“Oh, and I almost forgot: until you set foot on the final step of the cloud staircase, you have not truly ascended the Ninefold Heaven. Time here is as insubstantial as the void—so make the most of your time to refine your strength. There will be no second chance. Miss this opportunity, and you will never rescue Bai Ling,” Wo Luoyu concluded, turning to leave.

“How strong are these creatures?” Hao Dan asked, seeking more information.

“No weaker than you,” Wo Luoyu replied, and his form faded into the mist.

“Hey!” Hao Dan called, but no one answered. He turned to face this unfamiliar world, memories flooding his mind—of all he and Bai Ling had experienced in the illusory realm.

He remembered how, to help him improve his combat skills, Bai Ling would secretly use the illusory talismans crafted by Lord Lu Ya. By infusing them with celestial power and spiritual energy, she could conjure the images on the talismans into phantasmal creatures—even the spirits of the ten ancient ferocious beasts could be recreated, though it consumed vast amounts of energy and talismans.

The first time Bai Ling used one, she conjured the “Nine-Colored Divine Phoenix.” Though it was only a fraction as powerful as the original, even with a tenth of its might, Hao Dan’s life was at risk. In the end, Bai Ling was harshly punished by Lord Lu Ya for her reckless use of the talismans.

This demonstrated the tremendous power of the illusory talismans. Even if the Supreme Elder himself painted them, their sacred power might not surpass that of Lord Lu Ya’s creations. Yet Lord Lu Ya was always the carefree trickster, uninvolved and indifferent, never seeking to dominate the heavens—his only wish was to roam the world in freedom.

Such was Hao Dan’s impression of Lord Lu Ya.

During that period, Hao Dan faced ancient beasts and divine creatures. While his cultivation did not progress much, his skills, speed, judgment, and combat experience improved greatly. Those phantasmal beasts, though only a fraction of their true power, were enough to ensure that Hao Dan could survive when facing fearsome foes in the mortal realm.

As for the Celestial Marshal of the Ninefold Heaven, Yan Lietian, he was no ordinary mortal. He was the famed “Marshal of the Three Realms,” master of external arts and physical might, a fellow practitioner of the Dao with Zhao Gongming. His path embraced the thirty-six transformations of the Earthen Fiend, possessing strength to move mountains and rivers. When he fought Hao Dan, he never even used his true strength. At that time, Hao Dan had offended this celestial general’s dignity, which had never been challenged by a mere mortal. If not for the intercession of a junior sister, Hao Dan would have been utterly destroyed.

Now, however, was the perfect time to comprehend divine arts and the mysterious paths of the arcane. If he could use the spiritual energy here to cultivate forbidden arts of the immortals, the results could be extraordinary. Moreover, to truly master the eighty-eight arcane arts of the Eight Doors, one must face true crisis—only then can understanding arise and the mysteries be unlocked. Once he could harness these powers, he would transcend himself, mastering wondrous techniques within the Eight Doors. If he succeeded, he might even wield all eight at once, greatly amplifying his strength in an instant.

Imagine: with the combined effects of the eighty-eight arcane arts of the Eight Doors, what astonishing might would emerge!

Know this: the Eight Doors of the Arcane Path correspond to—Wound Gate (Attack), Rest Gate (Restraint), Life Gate (Healing), Block Gate (Support), Mirror Gate (Illusion), Fright Gate (Ambush), Death Gate (Ultimate), Open Gate (Enhancement). To have the eightfold effects working together—such wonder! Hao Dan grew impatient at the thought. This was a rare opportunity to cultivate and comprehend these arts, and he was determined to seize it. Now, he finally understood Wo Luoyu’s well-meaning intentions.

Once Hao Dan mastered all the arcane arts of the Eight Doors, he could stand on equal footing with Zhao Gongming, Yan Lietian, and Kong Qiandao.

Moreover, Hao Dan possessed the foremost of the ten divine artifacts, the Eastern Emperor Bell. Should he unify the divine arts and the mysteries of the arcane path, this venture into the Ninefold Heaven might not be a doomed endeavor after all. Among the Eight Doors, the Wound Gate—specifically, the eight arcane arts within—possessed world-shattering power.

Wound Gate: The Divine Judgment Net is the strongest among them, greatly multiplying the wielder’s attack power—every punch, even if only barehanded, could shatter mountains and earth. Yet this art is extremely hard to master; even Bai Ling barely managed to comprehend it. Once understood, though, it could unleash earth-shattering might.

Wound Gate: Essence Refinement turns the opponent’s spiritual energy against them, rendering them a mere shell. According to Bai Ling, this and four other arts have long been lost—even with the incantations, they are nearly impossible to comprehend.

Wound Gate: Hundred Phoenixes Return to the Mountain—when cast, a hundred flaming phoenixes sweep toward the target in a group attack, leaving a sea of fire in their wake.

Wound Gate: Frost Dominates the World—when unleashed, it is as if an ice dragon is born; the spiritual energy of heaven and earth instantly freezes into endless glaciers, a thousand miles of ice, immune to all attacks.

These Wound Gate arts had been taught to Hao Dan personally by Bai Ling, and he had memorized the incantations thoroughly. Unfortunately, many of the Eight Doors’ arcane arts have been lost over countless millennia, for the immortals deemed their power too dangerous, able to destroy all creation. Some ancient immortals even destroyed the latter half of the arts to prevent their transmission.

Even so, the first half survived, and the legacy of the Eight Doors of the Arcane Path endures.

Thus, it is likely impossible for Hao Dan to master the complete divine arts of heaven and earth, but if he could master ten out of the eighty-eight arcane arts, it would be enough to contend with the celestial gods. For now, he would focus on mastering the Wound Gate arts and comprehending their mysteries, so as to be ready to challenge the Ninefold Heaven.

What will happen next? Find out in the following chapter!