My Husband’s Ascension Ch 4
Chapter 4 Unmoved He Stands, Unbound She Goes
Ascension Terrace was especially lively today.
While the official reason for the grand gathering was to celebrate Dao Lord Tianshu’s return to the Immortal Realm of Kunwu, what the cultivators privately cared more about was the gossip surrounding the Dao Lord’s two years spent in the mortal world.
“Heaven’s will is truly unfathomable. Who would've guessed that during the two years he disappeared, Dao Lord Tianshu had his memories sealed and descended into the mortal realm to undergo tribulation?”
“Now that he’s overcome the ordeal and his cultivation has advanced further, he’s probably the most promising candidate of this generation to ascend.”
“What are you talking about? Even without this tribulation, he still bears the Zhongli Clan’s bloodline and is a rare genius of millennia. Who else but him could ascend?”
All were both envious and admiring of the Dao Lord’s bright future in the cultivation realm, save for one rash young man.
This impulsive young man asked, “Now that the Dao Lord has returned to the cultivation world, will the mortal woman come with him as well? Are we to welcome a Madam of the Lord into our midst?”
At those words, the crowd first froze, then erupted into hearty laughter.
“Which sect did this young disciple crawl out of? Has he only been cultivating for a handful of years?”
“He’s probably never seen the Dao Lord in person—only then would he dare say something so absurd.”
“Our Dao Lord is a detached, emotionless, and ascetic immortal—”
Suddenly, a gentle breeze swept across Ascension Terrace, scattering the gongfen plum blossoms all over the ground.
While toasting cups with the other Kunwu elders, their expressions uneasy, Lord Yaoguang looked up to see a figure drifting down like a white crane from the distant mountain backdrop.
Amid the dusky peaks, a silhouette stood still as a white crane, hair gleaming like silver where the sunlight struck it, falling softly against snowy lashes.
His exquisite yet icy, jade-like form made it hard to believe he wouldn’t dissipate like melting snow, but with each step closer, the spiritual pressure of an advanced cultivator crashed down like a relentless snowfall.
Silent as he was, his presence alone was enough to instill terror.
This was Dao Lord Tianshu of the Immortal Realm of Kunwu, the undisputed top figure in the cultivation world.
“As I came, I saw Miss Immortal Lanyan of Polaris Confucian Sect rushing in your direction in a fury. Judging by that, she’s likely going to give your young wife a hard time.” Lord Yaoguang, reclining slightly, put down his cup with a hint of disappointment. “Why were you the only one to come back? Without your guarding presence, won’t that girl be at Shi Lanyan’s mercy?”
The hopeful glint of those almond eyes still hovered in his vision.
Dao Lord Tianshu’s long eyelashes dipped, covering a measure of his unease.
“Shi Lanyan is willful but wouldn’t seriously hurt her. If I intervene, it might backfire. What’s more—” He paused. “I won’t be by her side anymore; these issues are hers to face alone.”
Lord Yaoguang shook his head, clearly disappointed. “Are you really going to leave her to fend for herself? Judging by her unwavering determination for you, you must have cared for her deeply. I thought there was at least some lingering feeling—”
“Never say such foolish words again.” Dao Lord Tianshu’s face showed a warm, spring-like smile. Still, each word he spoke was chillingly harsh. “Since you’re so curious about the mortal realm, perhaps one day we’ll seal your memories and cultivation, and send you there to experience it firsthand?”
Lord Yaoguang showed no fear. He touched his chin, appearing deep in thought. “Mm... better not. Not everyone is as blessed as you. To be rescued by a beautiful lady, pampered, and given such a distinctive name… what was it again? Xie Lan-something?”
“I don’t remember.”
Dao Lord Tianshu, after a long absence from the cultivation world, had many matters to attend to and no time for idle chatter with Lord Yaoguang.
Just as he turned to leave, a voice drifted from behind him.
“You inherited the title ‘Tianshu’ from birth. This name* may be the only thing you can truly call your own. Can you really forget it?”
(TLN: Referring to the name ‘Xie Lanshu’)
On Ascension Terrace, the blossoms were as abundant as clouds. Gongfen plum petals fell in drifts, as pale and soft as snow.
The shy voice of a young girl softly resonated beside him:
—Xie Lanshu, when the plum tree bears fruit again, let’s have a child of our own.
Jade-like appearance and orchid-like grace; ethereal in bearing.
It was the name she patiently showed him how to write on paper, at the dawn of her budding feelings.
A delicate petal landed softly on his palm. His cold, translucent eyes lingered on it before curling his fingers to conceal it.
“And what of it? That name holds no significance.”
…
“—How could it be without significance!”
At Polaris Confucian Sect, inside Numinous Treasure* Collection Tower.
(TLN: The name lingbao (灵宝; Numinous Treasure) was originally a description of a medium or sacred object (bao, "treasure") into which a spirit (ling) had descended. It is one of the oldest Daoist schools and was based on a corpus of writings first compiled by the Eastern Jin period 東晉 (317-420) Daoist master Ge Chaofu (葛巢甫), the so-called Lingbaojing 靈寳經 "Classics of the Numinous Treasure".)
Shi Lanyan, who had taken Zhao Zhao back to her sect to choose a treasure, finally came to her senses. “Tell me the truth, are you actually pregnant?”
Numinous Treasure Collection Tower was the vault where Polaris Confucian Sect stored its rarest spiritual herbs and finest divine artifacts.
The moment Zhao Zhao stepped inside, her attention was instantly captured by the dazzling array of curious and wondrous items.
After browsing for quite a while, she turned back with a smile and replied, “Whether it's true or false doesn't matter. Just a small expense on your part, Miss Immortal, and I’ll never pester your Dao Lord Tianshu. Doesn’t that sound cost-effective?”
Perhaps it was the way she said your Dao Lord Tianshu that soothed Shi Lanyan's mood; her tightly furrowed brow finally began to ease.
Indeed. Shi Lanyan lacked nothing. If she could use a few trivial items to send this girl away, it would certainly be worth it.
But—
“You truly mean that?”
“Of course. Dao Lord Tianshu has no interest in me anymore, so there’s no point in clinging to him. Better to get something more practical.”
Zhao Zhao walked beneath the wooden placards that separated the categories, identifying what she might find useful one by one.
She picked up a spatial storage pouch[1] and turned back to ask Shi Lanyan, “Could you give me this pouch? The smallest one will do.”
Shi Lanyan soon realized a suspicious point. “If you want compensation, why don’t you ask the Dao Lord directly?”
Zhao Zhao tilted her head, puzzled. “Miss Immortal and the Dao Lord are childhood sweethearts, practically family. So why should it matter whom I ask?”
“...” She's got a silver tongue, I’ll give her that.
Shi Lanyan pursed her lips, trying to suppress the upward curve at the corners of her mouth.
With a flick of her wrist, a top-grade spatial pouch dropped into Zhao Zhao’s hands. She shot her a scornful look. “You’re seriously asking me for outer disciple-level scraps? How uncultured. Let me broaden your horizons.”
True to her word, Shi Lanyan followed through.
Whether for beginner cultivation, wound healing, or breakthrough assistance, dozens of bottles were gathered and casually tossed into Zhao Zhao’s spatial storage pouch.
As for divine artifacts, there were bracelets for warding off evil spirits, beads to repel misfortune, demon-subduing vases, fire- and water-resistant robes; practically a whole arsenal stuffed in at once.
As for cultivation manuals, the unique secret techniques of Polaris Confucian Sect were naturally off-limits, but some common foundational methods for cultivators—Shi Lanyan didn’t even glance at them and told Zhao Zhao to take whatever she liked.
Zhao Zhao unceremoniously gathered a sizable stack.
Although it seemed like Shi Lanyan was bestowing her gifts, it was clearly a show of strength and pride. Seeing Zhao Zhao accept everything without reservation, Shi Lanyan smiled faintly. “Not every cultivation method suits every cultivator; it all depends on your sect and the Dao you follow.”
Zhao Zhao blinked and responded, “Do elaborate.”
“Though the cultivation world has many sects, only seven truly stand at the top.”
“The Kunwu Immortal Realm leads the righteous path and specializes in Sword Dao. Our Polaris Confucian Sect practices Confucian Dao. The Yin-Yang Sect focuses on the arts Yin and Yang. Divine Farmer* Sect is internally divided into three factions. The Moyan Sect excels in machine-operated arts. The Ghost Soldier Sect reigns supreme in warfare. And far off in the snowy north lies the Buddhist Kingdom.”
(TLN: Shennong (神農), also known as the Divine Farmer, is a mythological Chinese ruler revered as the first Yan Emperor and a deity in Chinese folk religion. As one of the Three Sovereigns of ancient China, he is celebrated as a culture hero who taught early Chinese people agriculture and herbal medicine.)
After giving a brief overview of the seven great sects, Shi Lanyan gave Zhao Zhao a slow once-over. “However, the threshold for entering these sects is high. Not just anyone can join simply because they wish to.”
Zhao Zhao didn’t take the disdain in Shi Lanyan’s tone to heart, her thoughts had drifted elsewhere.
That heroine who had killed Xie Lanshu in a single blow during her dreams belonged to a distinguished sect, why then was it missing from the list of the seven?
Could it be that she had showed up too early?
Time was vague within the dream; Zhao Zhao could see the future’s outline, but not when those events would unfold.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Zhao Zhao didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she offered overly earnest flattery without hesitation, “So Miss Immortal’s Polaris Confucian Sect is one of the seven great sects. I was a little unconvinced before, but now I see—you’re such a perfect match for Dao Lord Tianshu. It makes sense that Miss Immortal can afford to be so generous.”
Though Shi Lanyan had grown up surrounded by flattery, hearing it from a love rival hit differently, it gave her an extra thrill.
Still, her expression carried a faint trace of disdain. “This doesn’t even count as generosity. Not a single item here is worthy of me. The only thing that truly catches my eye is that Karmic Fire Lotus Parasol* over there—”
(TLN: "业火" (yè huǒ), translated as karmic fire or the fire of karma, is a Buddhist term referring to the destructive force of negative karma, often imagined as a fire that harms the body and mind. It can also refer to the flames of hell that burn sinners, or intense rage.)
“Miss Immortal wants to give me that Karmic Fire Lotus Parasol?” Zhao Zhao covered her lips in mock astonishment, her almond eyes shimmering with admiration and disbelief.
Shi Lanyan's expression stiffened. “Who said I was giving it to you—”
“I didn’t expect Miss Immortal to be so sincere. Rest assured, after accepting these things, I’ll steer well clear of Kunwu. I will never come between you and Dao Lord!”
“…If you go back on your word, our Polaris Confucian Sect won’t let you off so easily.” With a look of reluctant defeat, Shi Lanyan tossed the defensive divine artifact into Zhao Zhao’s hands.
Zhao Zhao, like a hamster hoarding food, stuffed every last item from Shi Lanyan and Dao Lord Tianshu into her spatial storage pouch. Once everything was safely packed away, her mood brightened considerably.
As she was sorting through the items, Shi Lanyan’s eyes landed on an egg-sized bead, and she paused in surprise.
It was none other than Dao Lord Tianshu’s Donghua Pearl.
“...Is there anything else you want?” Shi Lanyan bit her lip, eyes locked on the bead. “Top-grade divine artifacts, rare elixirs—whatever you ask. Just let me have that Donghua Pearl in return.”
Zhao Zhao blinked, slightly taken aback. She pulled the Donghua Pearl from her pouch and examined it closely. To her, it looked no different from the other treasures.
When Dao Lord Tianshu had given it to her, he only warned that giving her too much gold and silver might invite disaster. So instead, he instructed her to bring the Donghua Pearl back to the mortal world. If she pawned it, she would gain limitless gold and silver, or dedicate it to the earthly emperor—whose yearning for immortality would make him yield to her every demand.
Yet Zhao Zhao never expected that Shi Lanyan, someone who had seen countless treasures, would covet this very pearl.
The pearl, warmed by her palm, emitted a faint, mysterious glow.
In that moment, Zhao Zhao suddenly understood: this might be the only tangible thing left behind by Xie Lanshu.
"...No need to exchange anything." Zhao Zhao smiled softly, placing the Donghua Pearl into Shi Lanyan’s palm. "Miss Immortal has already given me so much today; consider this pearl my token of gratitude."
Shi Lanyan's initial reaction was not joy, but a stunned, almost horrified look as if Zhao Zhao were some incomprehensible creature. "Don–Don’t you know what this Donghua Pearl signifies?"
“Signifies?” Zhao Zhao asked earnestly, clearly unaware. “Can it make one’s cultivation skyrocket in leaps and bounds? If so, forget what I said earlier.”
"…Of course not!" Shi Lanyan’s frustration boiled over. "This is a precious heirloom of the Zhongli Clan, passed down through the hands of every clan head’s wife. It’s equivalent to an official seal! Are you truly unaware, or just playing dumb?”
Zhao Zhao was taken aback, speechless at the weight of the revelation.
Seeing Zhao Zhao’s bewildered expression only deepened Shi Lanyan’s despair.
Hadn’t Dao Lord Tianshu barely glanced at Zhao Zhao while she was being humiliated? Why then would he give her something so priceless?
She had no clue what it was. After returning to the mortal world, she might easily pawn it off. Yet, he entrusted it to her just like that…
A sudden thought flashed through Shi Lanyan’s mind.
Was it possible that… it didn’t even matter if the pearl was pawned?
After all, there would never be another madam of the Zhongli Clan. So what difference did it make whether the Donghua Pearl was kept or not?
"If that’s the case, then it should all the more be left to Miss Immortal,” Zhao Zhao concealed the complicated emotions in her eyes and lifted her head with a bright smile. “Even if the ties of the heart can’t be severed for a while, these worldly possessions can still be relinquished.”
The Donghua Pearl in her hand emitted a flowing brilliance, yet Shi Lanyan gazed at it quietly, unexpectedly struck by a lack of interest.
After all, the pearl was nothing but a lifeless object.
Though she possessed the Donghua Pearl, emblematic of the Zhongli Clan’s matron, she would forever fail to be the madam he sincerely acknowledged.
…
Once the sweep was complete, Shi Lanyan escorted Zhao Zhao to the foot of the mountain outside Polaris Confucian Sect’s gate.
The banquet on Kunwu’s Ascension Terrace was still in full swing, and Shi Lanyan had to leave in a hurry.
She glanced at the girl limping from a knee injury and couldn’t help but ask, “Which sect do you intend to join?”
Zhao Zhao smiled softly, assuming she was just mistrustful about her.
“Need not worry, Miss Immortal. I’ve already chosen a sect—one far, far away from Immortal Realm of Kunwu. Unless fate takes an unexpected turn, I won’t see Dao Lord Tianshu again in this lifetime.”
Shi Lanyan watched as the girl unfolded a cultivation realm map, where the highlighted destination lit up, catching her eye.
Cloudculm Abode?
A small, obscure sect she had never heard of.
Indeed, it lay thousands of miles from Kunwu. Zhao Zhao wasn’t lying.
Shi Lanyan ought to have felt glad, yet for some reason, hearing her say with a light, trailing tone, “I won’t see Dao Lord Tianshu again in this lifetime” brought an indescribable melancholy.
Meanwhile, Zhao Zhao, parting ways with Shi Lanyan, felt quite the opposite.
Perhaps it was the spatial storage pouch brimming with belongings that brought her comfort. Compared to the crushing weight she bore leaving Separation’s Regret Heaven, Zhao Zhao now finally rallied some spirit.
Losing a perfect and obedient husband was truly heartbreaking.
But no matter the sorrow, life must move forward.
Just along a different path.
Zhao Zhao retrieved a wind control talisman from the spatial storage pouch. After a moment’s hesitation, she affixed it to her injured leg.
In the next instant, Zhao Zhao sensed the ground disappear underfoot, her body becoming weightless. She attempted to take a step, following Shi Lanyan’s instructions—
The fabric of her dress billowed and danced in the breeze.
Rather than fear, a strange calm settled over her as she glanced down to see the dark mountains looming ahead, shrouded in mist and clouds drifting beneath her feet—a breathtaking vista far beyond the reach of ordinary mortals.
This is the world of cultivators.
It was also the world of Xie Lanshu.
At that thought, a heavy weight settled in Zhao Zhao’s heart once again.
She wanted to be like the heroic women in tales, who let go if their love was unrequited. But perhaps her heart was too narrow; no matter what, she couldn’t convince herself to treat these two years as nothing but a dream and simply move on.
Having shared a love with her, once his memories returned, he left behind a slight compensation before departing with a flick of his sleeve and reverting to his Dao Lord self.
Whose tribulation was this really—his or hers?
Having employed about a dozen wind control talismans, the soaring stone sword on the map gradually became visible.
It was the Small Sword Pass she had glimpsed in her dream.
Cloudculm Abode—the sect established by the heroine who had slain Xie Lanshu after enduring countless hardships and sacrificing many close friends—stood right before her eyes.
Zhao Zhao pressed her lips tight, a fierce determination swelling within her.
No matter how rigorous the sect’s entrance trials, she must become a disciple of Cloudculm Abode.
If she had been uncertain in Separation’s Regret Heaven, now the fog had finally lifted from her eyes—
She would live to see the day Xie Lanshu dies.
She would witness the ruin of everything he so desperately chased, even at the cost of abandoning her.
This was her Dao.
.
.
.
Author’s Note:
A key tip*: Zhao Zhao is hardly ever physically tormented by the male lead. If she does suffer physically, it's only for the sake of her cultivation. As for how the male lead ends up in the “crematorium,” his character hasn't fully unfolded yet, so no spoilers! But rest assured, he'll suffer both physically and emotionally~
(TLN: Yep all English in the raws will still be in bold+italics.)
TL Note: I forgot to make a note, so I’ll do it here. For those who are not familiar with cultivation novels, Dao (道) is the origin and source of all things. It can be translated in many different ways, including The Way / Road / Path / Method. According to Daoism, it is the absolute principle underlying the universe, combining within itself the principles of Yin and Yang and signifying the way, or code of behavior, that is in harmony with the natural order. In these novels, characters often try to gain insights into the Dao, which can give them supernatural powers or even control over aspects of the natural world.
Source: https://immortalmountain.wordpress.com/glossary/wuxia-xianxia-xuanhuan-terms/#cultivation
Footnote:
[1] Spatial storage pouch - I’m sure most of you know ‘芥子空间’ was akin to a spatial storage space, but have never delved into the reason why it’s called a ‘mustard seed space (literal translation)’. The term ‘mustard seed space’ was actually derived from the Buddhist scripture, Vimalakirti Sutra:
“If a bodhisattva abides in emancipation, she can place the mass of Mount Sumeru in a mustard seed without increasing [the seed] or decreasing [the mountain]. Sumeru, king of mountains, will maintain its original form...[This bodhisattva] can take the four great seas and pour them into the pore of a single hair and all the fish, turtles, alligators, and other water creatures would not be disturbed. The great seas will maintain their original form. The dragons, ghosts, spirits, and asuras will not realize or know where they have gone, and these beings will not be disturbed” (Weimojie suoshuo jing, 546b24–c3). Cf. Watson’s translation (1997, 78).
Thus, in order to convey the vastness of this ‘space’, many xianxia/xuanhuan novels often use the term ‘mustard seed space’ to represent storage rings, pouches, etc. But for the sake of a smoother read, I decided to translate ‘芥子空间’ as spatial storage pouch.
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