In the mortal world, within the Great Qian Dynasty’s capital, Li Ruowang stood alone atop the palace wall, her figure suffused with an indescribable loneliness and desolation. Why could she still not take that final step? Her prolonged inability to ascend left her perpetually on edge. Yesterday, upon learning that Hong Luan had ascended, her heart had sunk to its nadir. Her own failure was bitter enough, but her sister’s success struck even deeper—how could Hong Luan have ascended? The label of “last in rank” seemed carved into Li Ruowang’s brow forever. Her pride lay shattered, and the sharpness once in her gaze had vanished completely.
“Empress Mother!”
A clear voice called from behind.
It was Ye Nian. Li Ruowang forced her emotions back beneath the surface, turned, and asked softly, “What is it?”
“Um, Empress Mother, it’s nothing urgent. I feel that I may ascend soon—and the sensation grows stronger by the hour. I can even perceive the Celestial Realm’s summons! I came ahead of time to let you know.”
Ye Nian’s words made Li Ruowang feel her teeth grind. Good heavens! First her sisters ascended, and now her own daughter? Was she to be abandoned here forever, left to mourn them all alone? Though her heart burned, she strove to keep her countenance calm.
“You’re remarkable, Nian’er,” she said, forcing a gentle smile. “In so little time you’re already ready to ascend—you’ve set a new record in the cultivation world, surpassing even your father!”
She looked at the child before her, tears of indignation prickling her eyes.
“I have a gift for you, Empress Mother!”
Ye Nian produced a painted scroll from behind her back and offered it to Li Ruowang. The empress mother unrolled it carefully to reveal three tiny figures rendered in a childlike, abstract style. Ye Nian pointed at them: “The first is Father Emperor, the second is me, and the third is you, Empress Mother. I feared you’d be lonely in the mortal realm, so I painted this. Whenever you miss Father or me, you can look at it to ease your longing. Don’t worry about me—I won’t be alone in the Celestial Realm. Father is there, and many of my aunts who dote on me.”
Li Ruowang clenched her right fist around the scroll, struggling to quell the tumult within. It was true—all that Ye Nian said was fact. Was she truly destined to remain in the mortal world forever, forced to gaze skyward in furtive longing?
After a moment of despair, an unquenchable fighting spirit surged within her. If Heaven would not allow her to ascend, then she would tear open the sky itself to step into the Celestial Realm! She was Li Ruowang, Empress of the Great Qian—she would never resign herself to fate!
With that, she struck the parapet with a heavy fist. From behind her, a golden dragon, a thousand feet long, materialized and roared defiantly at the heavens. In an instant, she felt seals within her break. Her aura shifted, growing fiercer.
Then the sky bloomed with radiant clouds as a pillar of golden light descended, enveloping Li Ruowang completely. ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Such a scene was not new to her—she had witnessed it dozens of times atop Five Finger Peak: the Daytime Ascension!
The wonder upon the Great Qian capital’s walls drew all nearby onlookers. Ye Nian, too, hurried to the wall at once.
“Empress Mother!”
At her daughter’s call, Li Ruowang turned, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Nian’er, it seems your mother ascends before you. Keep the scroll—I leave it to you. When you miss me, remember to look upon it.”
Even before Ye Nian could speak, the scroll traced a graceful arc through the air and settled in her hands. The little princess regarded it in wide-eyed wonder. What? So quickly the roles reversed? No—I cannot be left alone in the mortal world!
“Empress Mother, wait for me! I want to ascend too!”
At her cry, the auspicious clouds above expanded once more. Another pillar of light descended, enveloping Ye Nian in its glow. Yes—calling it and ascending immediately!
Li Ruowang’s eyes widened in astonishment. She had never expected to see her daughter rise on the same day.
Thus it came to pass that on that day in the Great Qian Dynasty, Empress Li Ruowang and Princess Ye Nian ascended together—a story destined to become legend.
Meanwhile, beyond the Demon Realm passage, hosts of demons gathered, raising their voices in unison: “Attack Heaven! Attack Heaven! Attack Heaven!”
With a nod from the Demon Lords, the demon legions officially began their march toward the Celestial Realm—an unstoppable, mighty procession.
Demon Lord Bai Qingsong stood with arms crossed, feigning calm, yet his gaze drifted repeatedly to one figure ahead. The False Deity? Could that being truly be relied upon? Something felt off... As these thoughts churned, Bai Qingsong shivered. And that devilish immortal—he must be in the Celestial Realm now. If we encounter him during this war, I will be in grave peril!
...
One hour later, within Wuwei Tower in the Celestial Realm, Ye Yu was cultivating his dao when his communication stone buzzed with Mo Tianjun’s summons: “The demons have begun their plan against Heaven. Their first assault will strike the eastern Celestial Realm. Will you come with me to observe?”
Ye Yu answered without hesitation. He had long wished to see the False Deity’s power for himself. Yet it had been only three days—why had the demons moved so swiftly? What had transpired? Perhaps the answers would present themselves once they met the demon host.
Bidding farewell to the noble ladies—and reminding them not to leave Wuwei Tower, whose formations could withstand even a half-step Demon Emperor—Ye Yu departed.
He reached the easternmost point of Central Celestial Territory, where he and Mo Tianjun had agreed to meet. An entire hour passed before Mo Tianjun arrived, bearing a small, exquisite box.
“This,” Mo Tianjun said carefully as he offered it, “was specially alchemized to address your hidden ailment. Rest assured, you and I are of one household—I would not speak falsely.”
At his words, Ye Yu’s mind brimmed with questions.
