Ascension of The Unholy Immortal

Zhuo Li's smile grew even more enigmatic as he spoke. "You have guessed correctly, fellow Daoist Liang. They aren't located in the inner city, in fact, they aren't even located in this world."

Surprise flickered across Liang's eyes, his voice reflecting astonishment. "You mean to say that they are situated in another world?"

Zhuo Li chuckled softly, his tone filled with amusement. "There's no need to be hasty, fellow Daoist Liang. All shall be revealed at the right time. For now, we have a matter of utmost importance to attend to."

Liang's curiosity was piqued, prompting him to inquire further. "Another matter, you say?"

Zhuo Li nodded, his expression solemn. He began to elucidate their situation. "We have entered into an agreement with one of the four factions — the Starry Sky Alliance."

Confusion marred Liang's visage as he sought clarification. "What kind of agreement are we referring to, Fellow Daoist Zhou?"

Zhuo Li's tone remained steady as he provided the necessary details. "There exists a unique location in the devil realm that holds immense significance for us. The Alliance possesses a map leading to that place. In exchange, we offer them a way to cross the realm safely without attracting the attention of the devil cultivators. Therefore, we have come to an agreement that each faction will send a team of six individuals. This team shall consist of three newly ascended Dao Integration cultivators, two cultivators at the mid-stage, and one at the late-stage of the Dao Integration."

Liang's eyes shimmered with comprehension as the puzzle pieces seamlessly aligned. Among the multitude of motivations behind his decision to join the legion, one stood out above all others - he foresaw that they would inevitably venture into the devil realm alongside the Starry Sky Alliance.

Such a momentous undertaking wouldn't elude the attention of the second most formidable faction. However, what truly perplexed him was the legion's insistence on recruiting him. Yet now, it became abundantly clear—it was simply to meet a quota.

"Oh, right," Suddenly Zhuo Li interjected, momentarily forgetting something. He reached into his robe and pulled out a bronze badge, extending it towards Liang.

"This is the legion badge," Zhuo Li explained. "In addition to communication, it also acts as a storage space and has other interesting functions."

Liang inspected the badge for a moment before carefully tucking it away.

"Junior brother Liang, you are incredibly cautious," Zhuo Li chuckled. "But enough about that, let's continue."

With that, the two of them made their way towards the city center. After walking for some time, they finally arrived at a magnificent pagoda, that captured their attention.

"Junior brother Liang, that's The Jade Lotus Pagoda," Zhuo Li remarked enthusiastically. "It's the most extraordinary inn in the realm. The one you saw outside was just a small branch of it, and there's probably another one in Heaven Peak City."

Liang nodded, taking in the grandeur of the pagoda, before following Zhuo Li inside...

Inside, the atmosphere of The Jade Lotus Pagoda was a serene haven of tranquility. Soft ambient lighting bathed the spacious hall, casting a warm glow upon the finely decorated walls adorned with intricate jade carvings. The air was scented with delicate floral notes, emanating from the ornate vases of freshly cut lotus blossoms that dotted the room.

As Liang and Zhuo Li stepped further into the pagoda, their eyes were drawn to the first floor, where a polished marble counter stood. Behind it stood a beautiful woman, radiating an aura of grace and elegance. From her aura, Liang could discern that she was just an ordinary mortal. Her enchanting smile greeted them warmly, as she asked if they had a reservation for their stay.

Zhuo Li grinned and responded, "The top floor, third room." His familiarity with the inn hinted at his fondness for this place.

The woman acknowledged their request and reached under the counter, retrieving a small jade plate with the number 3 engraved on its surface. She handed it to Zhuo Li, who accepted it with a satisfied nod.

His gaze then shifted towards the center of the hall, where a peculiar-looking door commanded attention.

This door, unlike the others, lacked any handles or visible means of opening. Instead, it featured a perfectly fitting hole, roughly the same size as the jade plate.

With a swift motion, Zhuo Li inserted the jade plate into the corresponding opening, fitting it seamlessly within the hole. To Liang's amazement, the door responded, smoothly gliding open revealing a hidden stairway leading upwards...

As Liang and Zhuo Li stepped through the now-opened door, they found themselves at the beginning of a spiral staircase. The steps were made of polished wood, and a soft, ambient light illuminated the path, guiding them upwards.

Ascending the hidden stairway, they found themselves in a dimly lit corridor adorned with delicate silk tapestries depicting mythical creatures. The air grew cooler as they climbed higher, adding a refreshing touch to the ambiance.

As they reached the top of the stairway, Liang and Zhuo Li arrived at a small antechamber. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting ancient scenes of martial prowess, and the room was filled with the scent of incense, adding a mystical aura to the space.

Beyond the antechamber, the door opened into a larger room. The interior was exquisitely decorated, with intricately carved wooden panels adorning the walls. Soft cushions and mats were arranged on the floor, each placed in a way that indicated the presence of four individuals.

In the center of the room, four figures were seated around a low lacquered table, engrossed in a game of Go. Dressed in traditional silk garments, sat on embroidered cushions arranged in a symmetrical pattern. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on their serene faces, creating an air of mystique. Their eyes turned towards the doorway as Zhuo Li and Liang entered.

At the sight of Zhuo Li entering the room, the four individuals gracefully stood up from their seats in perfect synchrony, their gestures exuding both grace and respect. In a harmonious display, they bowed deeply and addressed Zhuo Li with utmost reverence, referring to him as "Senior Brother."

Zhuo Li reciprocated the gesture with a nod, then turned towards Liang and introduced, "Allow me to introduce the rest of our team."

The first figure is shrouded in a cloak of deepest obsidian. With every movement, his flowing robes whispered a solemn harmony, embracing the essence of mystery. His piercing gaze ignited with an unwavering determination.

Zhuo Li turned towards Liang,"This is Gu Hong," Zhuo Li spoke, his voice tinged with admiration. "In terms of destructive power, he stands unrivaled amongst all the mid-stage dao integration cultivators in the entire city."

Zhuo Li then directed Liang's attention to the next member of the team - A young woman, She stood confidently, her posture exuding a graceful yet commanding presence. Her slender figure moved with a fluidity that seemed to effortlessly catch the attention of those around her. Cascading down her back, her long hair added an element of elegance to her overall appearance, accentuating her delicate features.

Her captivating beauty was undeniable, captivating the gaze of all who laid eyes upon her. Yet, it was her piercing gaze that truly revealed her inner strength and relentless determination. While her enchanting appearance may have initially drawn people in, it was the unyielding fire in her eyes that left a lasting impression.

"Allow me to introduce Jiang Yan," Zhuo Li announced with a beaming smile. "She possesses unparalleled expertise in the arts of healing and Alchemy within our legion." Zhuo Li proudly proclaimed. "Her profound insights and exceptional abilities have been responsible for saving countless lives within our ranks."

Jiang Yan gracefully smiled, humbled by Zhuo Li's excessive praise. "You flatter me, senior brother Zhuo. My abilities pale in comparison to your generous appraisal."

Zhuo Li's prideful expression remained unchanged as he moved on to the next introduction. "Liang, I present to you Xue Ren," he declared with evident pride. "Despite his recent ascension, Xue Ren has been a valued member of our legion for quite some time. Naturally gifted, he carries the hopes and expectations of the entire legion."

Xue Ren respectfully greeted Liang with a bow. "Greetings, Brother Liang. I have heard much about you, and I am eager to witness your skills firsthand."

Liang cupped his hand a put on a warm smile.

Finally, Zhuo Li redirected Liang's attention to the last member of their team. Though unassuming in appearance, there was a profound depth to his eyes that hinted at a vast understanding. Simple and unadorned, the attire he wore suggested a preference for minimalism.

"And this is Han Zhi," Zhuo Li stated with admiration evident in his voice. "Like yourself and Xue Ren he has just ascended, But his cultivation time is much shorter, he may just be the most talented individual in the current generation within the legion."

Liang's eyes glittered with intrigue as he examined Han Zhi closely. The name evoked a tinge of recognition within him, yet neither Han Zhi's countenance nor his cultivation aligned with his expectations. Moreover, the person he had in mind should have perished long ago.

A fleeting sense of doubt flashed in his eyes. Though a faint familiarity tugged at his subconscious,But the aura and appearance exuded by Han Zhi left him confident that they had never crossed paths before.

Nevertheless, his instincts urged him to exercise caution in the presence of this person.

Han Zhi greeted Liang with a serene smile, his voice exuding tranquility. "It is an honor to finally meet you, Brother Liang. Your reputation precedes you."