Chapter 20: Howling Tian's Ascension

The fifteenth full moon bathed the world in a golden glow. On the round moon, a silver beam extended, connecting the mortal realm to the celestial, creating a peculiar spectacle. On this night, all the profound cultivators and accomplished spiritual beings across the land carefully observed this moment. Under the night sky, countless eyes gazed at the beam, silently awaiting the unfolding events.

In mid-air, the silver beam tightly enveloped the silver wolf, concealing whatever scene lay within. At this moment, the beam gradually faded, converging into a silver light sphere. As time passed, the moon slowly shifted, and suddenly, the silver light sphere erupted into a golden radiance. A figure slowly materialized within the moonlight, the same person whom Land Cloud had witnessed before. He lowered his head, conveying a farewell gaze that instantly reached Land Cloud's heart.

Land Cloud subtly nodded, offering silent blessings, "Howling Tian, congratulations. May everything go smoothly for you. This moment, this lifetime, I will forever remember. Regardless of when, a piece of your world will reside in my heart." Land Cloud's eyes revealed a hint of joy as he watched Howling Tian ascending to the sky, silently transmitting his blessings.

Howling Tian turned slightly, casting one more glance at Land Cloud before resolutely turning towards the sky, ascending step by step. In this moment, all the watching eyes expressed a longing look. Finally, a spiritual being broke through the barriers, ascending to immortality – an exhilarating and enviable occurrence.

Inside the cave, Xuan Yin True Man softly spoke, "Finally, witnessing the ascension of a spiritual being, it can be considered destiny. As long as all of you work hard, you can also achieve enlightenment and ascension like him." Li Hongfei and Zhang Aoxue nodded slightly, remaining silent. This extraordinary sight provided them with great encouragement. They firmly believed that with effort, there was hope, just like Howling Moon Tianlang – they too could ascend one day.

Land Cloud, looking at Howling Tian ascending, felt an indescribable sense of blessing and joy. Howling Tian had successfully ascended. However, just when Land Cloud and everyone believed that Howling Tian had succeeded in his ascension, suddenly, two immensely powerful auras appeared, instantly reaching him like a mountain crossing the sea. At this moment, these two shocking auras pressed down on the world, creating an atmosphere of tranquility.

Howling Tian's expression changed, a furious roar descended from the sky, resonating with anger. Clearly, this unexpected event at the moment of his ascension was infuriating. From afar, two orbs with different glows appeared on both sides of Howling Tian, blocking his path. These two orbs emitted dark red and dark green glows, both extremely sinister and undoubtedly malevolent.

Land Cloud stood in the cave, his eyes showing a flash of alertness, glaring at the two orbs. Beside him, Lin Yunfeng cursed, "Those two nuisances, after cultivating for a millennium and finally ascending to immortality, they still come to ruin someone else's celebration. Truly despicable. I'll go teach them a lesson now; it's infuriating. Rarely do we witness such an event, and if they ruin it, what's the point?" Lin Yunfeng finished speaking, his radiance flickered, heading straight for the cave's roof.

A muffled sound followed as Lin Yunfeng's body suddenly fell, crashing directly onto the ground, causing him great pain. Lin Yunfeng cursed, "Damn it, what the hell? The cave clearly allows us to see outside, how did I hit a rock when I rushed up? Damn it, it hurts. Blame those two sudden guys; otherwise, I wouldn't have fallen. I won't spare them."

Xuan Yin True Man gave him a glance, shouting, "You little brat, stop embarrassing yourself here. Do you think you can show off in such a situation? Look at what kind of opponents those two sudden guys are. They arrived suddenly because it's destined calamity for this Moon Howling Sky Wolf; it's unavoidable. Once it passes this last hurdle, it can truly ascend to immortality. If it fails, it might end up as a wandering spirit without a physical form. If luck is worse, it might even perish entirely."

Land Cloud, hearing this, felt a sudden shock, a trace of worry showing in his eyes. Looking at the sky, he pondered. He must find an opportunity to break free from those around him and assist Howling Tian; lend him a helping hand.

Lin Yunfeng glanced at Xuan Yin True Man, whispering, "Damn, I didn't expect ascension to be so troublesome. It's infuriating. We've been staring up for so long; my neck is sore. I won't look anymore. I'm leaving. If you're happy, continue here." Lin Yunfeng finished, chuckled, and disappeared in an instant.

Xuan Yin True Man scolded him harshly and said to the remaining three, "He's right; constantly looking up is tiring. Let's go." Finishing his words, he left first.

Land Cloud watched them depart, a hint of a smile in his eyes. He stood still, not following them. Zhang Aoxue turned to look at him, softly asking, "Land Cloud, aren't you leaving?"

Land Cloud shook his head gently, giving her a glance, "Senior Sister Aoxue, you go first. I'll be there in a moment. No need to worry about me." Zhang Aoxue looked at him, and in her clear and cold eyes, a hint of unfathomable depth flashed. She turned around and silently left.

In mid-air, Howling Tian, observing the sudden appearance of the two individuals, felt extreme anger. He understood that these two had come specifically to interfere with his ascension. It was said that ascension would be full of tribulations, which he also understood. He initially thought it was related to Land Cloud and the others, but now, he suddenly realized his estimation was wrong. The true tribulations were only beginning now.

Howling Tian knew he didn't have much time and couldn't afford to delay. He swiftly acted, transforming into three figures simultaneously, heading in three different directions towards the moon. The silver lights appeared in three directions simultaneously. At the same time, the dark red and dark green orbs began to rotate, forming a barrier around Howling Tian, imprisoning him completely. The silver light flashed, and Howling Tian's body appeared not far to the left, blocked by a dark green light.

Glancing at the round moon in the sky, Howling Tian's eyes showed a hint of vigilance. The two orbs before him emitted exceptionally eerie auras, making him extremely uncomfortable. Concentrating all his strength into his arms, Howling Tian unleashed two mighty and domineering silver light belts, instantly wrapping around the two orbs. Simultaneously, Howling Tian's body flashed incessantly in mid-air, changing rapidly, making it difficult for the enemies to discern his true state.

At this moment, in the dark red light sphere, a sinister voice said, "Howling Moon Sky Wolf, today you are destined not to soar to the sky. Accept your fate and become our possession. Perfect, my Yin Sha Blood Banner lacks a demon soul with the cultivation reaching the level of ascension. And you happen to be the best candidate, so, obediently accept your fate."

As the words fell, a blood-colored banner several feet in size flew out of the dark red light sphere, instantly transforming into a tens of zhang-sized blood banner. At the same moment, the entire world darkened, countless cries of resentful spirits filled the air, and the grievances and anger permeated the surroundings within dozens of miles.

On the other side, in the dark green light sphere, a black flag flew out. As soon as this black flag appeared, the originally clear moonlight was instantly tainted with a layer of enchanting and evil atmosphere, forming a sharp contrast with the blood banner, enveloping Howling Sky in a strange space.

Howling Sky felt both shocked and angry. His current form was already refined. This current appearance was actually condensed from his primordial spirit. Losing his original form, he was not as powerful as before. Facing the sinister and resentful blood banner and the terrifying Soul Calling Flag, it was extremely dangerous, with almost no chance of survival. Howling Sky made a decisive move, emitting a furious roar, and his body instantly dissipated. At this moment, he used the Space Jump, attempting to traverse this mysterious space and immediately escape to complete his ascension.

In mid-air, two cold laughs rang out. The entire sky was suddenly immersed in a mixture of dark red and dark green light. Everything around became blurred, making it impossible for outsiders to see what was happening inside. In mid-air, the silver light flickered from time to time. Then came several heart-wrenching screams and roars. Obviously, Howling Sky was trapped in the middle, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't break through the specialized space barrier that targeted souls and primordial spirits. Each contact with the red and green lights would corrode his body, causing significant damage.

In the cave, after the others left, Land Cloud had been contemplating how to help Howling Sky. Seeing the alternating red and green lights in the sky and being unable to see Howling Sky's figure at all, the sounds of roars and screams deeply stimulated Land Cloud's heart. Cold light burst into his eyes, and silver light shone around his body. He instantly disappeared.

In mid-air, Land Cloud suddenly appeared in the eerie and mysterious space barrier. Red and green lights surrounded everything, making it impossible to see Howling Sky's figure. Land Cloud sent out waves of spiritual probing, instantly determining Howling Sky's location. At the same time, he sensed that Howling Sky's aura was extremely weak, obviously injured by the sinister aura in this surrounding space. Land Cloud divided his consciousness into three waves, probing the surrounding barrier. The results shocked him. This barrier contained a power that could corrode everything, similar to the Ghost Sect's Soul Transformation Technique, specifically targeting supernatural beings like souls and primordial spirits.

Land Cloud's body instantly appeared next to Howling Sky, and a silver light sphere burst out from Land Cloud's hand, gently enveloping Howling Sky. Land Cloud said, "Howling Sky, don't panic, I'll help you. Your primordial spirit is damaged, and your cultivation has greatly decreased. Rest your primordial spirit here for now. The spiritual energy contained in this silver light sphere is from the spiritual energy of the Yao Yue Cave, absorb it with all your strength. I'll break through this barrier for you; seize the opportunity to escape and ascend. I'll keep them occupied. Be careful on your own."

Howling Sky exclaimed with joy, "Land Cloud, is it really you? Thank you. Now, my original form has been refined, and this primordial spirit cannot break through this space. As long as you open a gap for me, I'll have a chance to escape. Time is running out; at most, I have only one hundred breaths. If it's any later, it will be too late. Then, I'll forever maintain this appearance, wandering as a lost soul in the world."

Land Cloud's expression changed upon hearing this. One hundred breaths of time were too short; one breath was equal to one breath. In this way, he had very little time left. Land Cloud didn't have time to think further, and he launched another attack with full force. Seeing that his previous full-powered attack hadn't broken through the barrier, Land Cloud felt unexpected. Realizing that time was running out, Land Cloud didn't have the luxury of thinking. He launched another attack. Silver light radiated from Land Cloud's body, and a powerful and domineering force rushed down. It seemed like an opening heavenly sword, carrying an imposing aura as if tearing the heavens and splitting the earth, fiercely hitting the space barrier.

At the same moment, in mid-air, the blood banner and the Soul Calling Flag were both glowing brightly. Layers of red and green lights overlapped like waves, continuously accumulating, making the barrier even more solid. From the dark red light sphere, a red light shot out and landed on the barrier, closely integrating with it. On the other side, the dark green light sphere also took the same action. Suddenly, in mid-air, a rare and bizarre scene appeared.

Only seeing two spheres of light, one red and one green, separated by a hundred zhang. In the middle of these two spheres, a red and green intertwined light formed a space barrier with a diameter of dozens of zhang. Due to the light, everything inside the barrier was blurred, making it impossible to see from the outside. Meanwhile, the moon had gradually shifted, gliding across the zenith and descending towards the other side.

This time, Land Cloud unleashed the mighty and awe-inspiring Daoist technique - the Tai Xuan Splitting Heaven Dao! A cyan light, like an endless rainbow across the sky, fiercely struck the barrier. Suddenly, at the intersection of the cyan light and the barrier, a dark red eerie light appeared, fiercely conflicting with Land Cloud's sword energy. The two different lights simultaneously disappeared, and on the entire barrier, a dark green light flowed endlessly, appearing extremely mysterious.

Land Cloud was pushed back several zhang, his face filled with shock. Glancing back at Howling Sky, there was no time left. Two attacks had already consumed fifty breaths of Land Cloud's time, leaving only one chance. Howling Sky sighed lightly, "Land Cloud, you've done your best. Although you haven't broken the barrier in both attempts, my heart is content. Knowing you in this life is my greatest gain. You should leave on your own. These two fellows are most likely one of the legendary Five Great Demons in the cultivation world. Their cultivation has already surpassed five hundred years, and you won't break through this barrier they've set."

Land Cloud looked at Howling Sky, sensing the disappointment and unwillingness in his eyes. Land Cloud's eyes flickered with a strange light as he softly said, "Time is running out; I have one last chance. This time, be careful and pay attention to the thunder in the sky. I may not have time to bid you farewell then. Take care of yourself. Prepare yourself; I'm about to start. Stay away from me!"

In Land Cloud's eyes, a flash of cold electricity passed, and the As-You-Wish Soul Sword automatically flew to the side. Land Cloud's ten fingers tightened, and suddenly, two clusters of light appeared in the palms of his hands. These two clusters of light were different from Land Cloud's usual displays. They were surrounded by flickering electric lights, hinting at a thunderous roar. Land Cloud slowly closed his palms, and the two small light spheres, each the size of an inch, gently stood in front of his chest, merging into one. Simultaneously, a electric light shone around Land Cloud's body, enveloping him in a mysterious light sphere, countless thunderous electric lights flashing with dazzling brilliance.

Land Cloud lifted both hands, and his eyes turned extremely sinister at this moment. The light spheres between his hands had grown larger, reaching a diameter of three feet, flickering with electric sparks and emitting the sound of thunder. In this sphere, there was a faint atmosphere of destruction and dominance, rapidly bursting out and filling the entire space.

With a loud roar, Land Cloud suddenly raised both hands. The light sphere in his hands flew into the air, instantly turning into a light sphere several dozen zhang in size, countless electric sparks shooting dazzling light, emitting a crisp thunderous sound. At the same moment, under the bright moonlight, thunder suddenly appeared in the sky, and countless divine thunderbolts instantly struck down without any warning.

The thunder, accompanied by the power to shock everything, instantly hit the light sphere in mid-air. The lightning was immediately absorbed into it. The light sphere rapidly compressed with each hit until it became a three-foot-sized electric light sphere, exploding in an instant. A strong light appeared, blinding people's eyes and causing symptoms of temporary blindness. At the same time, a force capable of destroying the heavens and the earth, centered on the small sphere, instantly shot outward.

This powerful force immediately collided with the binding force of the spatial barrier. With a thunderous sound, the barrier instantly shattered. In the torrent of powerful true energy, carrying the thunderous power of the utmost Yang, everything around, all the resentful spirits and ghosts, were instantly destroyed. The blood banner and the Soul Calling Flag, in the face of this overwhelming force, were incinerated into ashes. The two dark red and dark green light spheres also suddenly emitted terrifying and horrifying screams, disappearing in an instant, fleeing into the distance.

Land Cloud watched the two fleeing light spheres, a cold smile appearing on his lips. He was very satisfied with this attack, unexpectedly finding that this technique had such formidable power, truly shocking. Looking at the sky, Land Cloud's eyes revealed a touch of pride, quietly expressing a silent sentiment.

At the same time, Howling Sky lightly whistled, breaking free from the silver light sphere that Land Cloud had imposed on him, and shot towards the sky like lightning. With a slight turn of his head, a silent expression of gratitude and farewell reached Land Cloud's eyes. Land Cloud stood quietly in the void, waving his hand with a smile, a blessing in his eyes, accompanying him as he went away.

Howling Sky's body gradually emitted a faint golden light in the moonlight, and a halo of light appeared around him. In the night sky, a silhouette of a silver wolf, dozens of zhang in size, faintly appeared behind Howling Sky. Two shadows cleverly overlapped. In an instant, the silver light flashed, and everything disappeared. In mid-air, a faintly glowing object slowly floated down in the night breeze, landing right next to Land Cloud.

Land Cloud reached out with his right hand and carefully examined it. It turned out to be a piece of silk. The light on this silk was dim, embroidered with a silver giant wolf howling at the sky. A full moon hung high in the sky, surrounded by silver moonlight, hazy and beautiful. Land Cloud looked at the silk in his hand, revealing a faint smile, gently tucking it into his chest. He then looked into the distance where four figures with different auras were flying rapidly towards him. With a smile, Land Cloud disappeared into the night. In the night breeze, several sighs, some regrets, a few questions, and some astonishment all gently drifted away with the wind.