Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 370 Mortals Ascending the Heavenly Ladder
Chen Ye didn't know what Tie Shengrong wanted, but since Fang Hao had already come up with a feasible solution and was confident that he could handle it, Chen Ye should let him do it.

Getting to the bottom of things has never been Chen Ye's habit.

"In that case, you will deal with Tie Shengrong in my place, and I will not go."

Fang Hao asked in surprise, "Master, how can you not go?"

Chen Ye said matter-of-factly, "Why not? I just got a set of sword techniques from the Qinghe Sword Sect, which was specially designed for me by Sheng Huai'an. Why would I go to the market to haggle with others instead of practicing swordsmanship?"

"Sheng Huai'an...designed a sword technique specifically for you, Master?"

Fang Hao only knew that Sheng Huai'an had come to find Chen Ye, but he didn't know that Sheng Huai'an had come specifically to deliver the sword technique.

What exactly is the relationship between my master and the Qinghe Sword Sect?
Fang Hao naturally knew that Chen Ye couldn't possibly be Lu Xingzhou's illegitimate son, but maybe he was Zhang Qi's illegitimate son? Otherwise, how could his relationship with the Qinghe Sword Sect be explained? Even if Su Chunyi's dowry wasn't this generous, it wouldn't be.

Chen Yecai wouldn't explain to Fang Hao; that's the good thing about being a master—letting the disciple figure it out on their own.

However, when Chen Ye brought Fang Hao to Yu Shenxing and said that Fang Hao would attend the "mediation" in his place, Yu Shenxing said in surprise, "Brother, don't act rashly. The sect leader of the Burning Incense Sect is coming in person."

Chen Ye laughed and patted Fang Hao on the shoulder, saying, "I sent the sect leader's eldest disciple."

Yu Shenxing didn't know what expression to make after hearing this.

Is this "disciple of the sect leader" referring to the Incense Burning Sect or the Yellow Springs Sect?

The generational hierarchy was so confusing that even Yu Shenxing was speechless.

However, Chen Ye insisted on this, and Yu Shenxing had no choice but to leave with Fang Hao.

Chen Ye returned to the courtyard with a cheerful smile. Mo Suixin was shocked to see Chen Ye return.

"Weren't we going to negotiate with the Incense Burning Sect?"

Chen Ye casually said, "I won't go. Fang Hao can handle it. He's more familiar with the Incense Burning Sect than I am."

Mo Suixin was somewhat surprised, but upon closer reflection, she realized that this was exactly Chen Ye's way of doing things: if you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them.

The reason she had no worries after joining the Yellow Springs Sect was entirely because she understood Chen Ye very well.

This is not a petty, suspicious man. He is more tolerant, has a broader vision, and greater ambitions than Lu Xingzhou was back then.

Only the Yellow Springs Sect dares to claim that it will redefine the cycle of reincarnation for all people, ensure that evil is punished and good is rewarded, and give everyone a chance to start over.

In contrast, the Incense Burning Sect only thought about how to maintain the status quo and how to scheme against each other.

The power and cultivation resources were fought to the death by a group of people, just like the great war between good and evil a thousand years ago was a waste of time.

"Whatever you want. But since we're just killing time anyway, why don't you come with me for a walk? I've only been to the Yunlu Immortal Sect twice, and both times it was a quick visit. I've never really had a chance to appreciate the beauty of March Lake."

Upon hearing Mo Suixin's invitation, Chen Ye replied, "I'm about to practice my sword."

Mo Suixin was immediately displeased. It was such a rare outing, but Chen Ye only thought about practicing his sword?
But Mo Suixin didn't want to beg Chen Ye to accompany her, so she calmly said, "Then go practice your sword."

Unexpectedly, Chen Ye grabbed Mo Suixin's hand and said, "Don't go. There are many places where you can practice swordsmanship. I've never seen March Lake before. Maybe it's a good place to practice swordsmanship."

Mo Suixin glared at Chen Ye. This guy was just talking, but he also started to get physical.

Mo Suixin snorted and said, "Who wants to watch you practice swordsmanship? Master Zhang already said you have no talent for swordsmanship."

Chen Ye said nonchalantly, "Liking is liking, and talent is talent. I'm already the leader of a sect, this little hobby is harmless. Come on, let's go see the March Lake before anyone disturbs us."

Chen Ye pulled Mo Suixin's hand and walked out. Mo Suixin struggled slightly, then followed him, thinking, "This Eight-Nine Arcane Arts is really powerful; the strength is so great that I can't break free at all."

After leaving the courtyard, we headed south.

It was already dark, and there were only a few hours left before the Yunlu Immortal Sect Assembly the next day. Most people were no longer planning to join the fun, but instead conserving their energy to witness this truly grand event.

Chen Ye and Mo Suixin walked along the road without seeing many people. After walking through several winding paths and passing through five magnificent archways, they arrived at a huge staircase wider than a river.

This is the so-called Heavenly Ladder. Going down from here will take you directly to March Lake. As long as mortals have perseverance and willpower, they can also walk step by step from March Lake to the Cloud Peak Immortal Sect.

If anyone can climb up like this, the Yunlu Immortal Sect will at least accept you as a menial disciple.

But climbing the ladder to heaven is no easy feat. Every year, countless mortals die on it. Perseverance and determination alone are far from enough.

However, Chen Ye and the others came up on the Yunlu Immortal Sect's flying boat, so they didn't have to go through this trouble.

Looking at the long, cloud-shrouded staircase, Chen Ye said to Mo Suixin, "Shall we go down from here?"

Mo Suixin said, "How long will it take? By then, we won't be watching the moonlight anymore, we'll be watching the sunrise."

"That's true. In that case, we'll still fly."

Chen Ye gently blew a breath, and clouds and mist swirled around him, transforming into an auspicious cloud that lifted the two of them up.

Chen Ye was quite proficient in the art of riding the clouds and mist, and even while carrying two people, his speed was not slow at all.

The two descended the ladder to heaven, passing through layers of thick clouds, and finally were able to overlook the magnificent March Lake.

Looking down from the sky, the lake in March reflects the countless stars, like a glass mirror shattered by the gods. Countless fireflies dance on the lake, making the tranquil Milky Way seem to flow.

Chen Ye couldn't help but sigh, "It truly is a wonderland. No wonder everyone says immortals are wonderful. If it weren't for this Cloud City, it wouldn't be easy to see such a beautiful view."

Mo Suixin laughed and said, "Don't let the disciples of Yunlu Immortal Sect hear you say that, or they'll glare at you."

Those three moon-shaped lakes on the ground were created when the Yunlu Immortal Sect crashed down after the last great battle between the righteous and the demonic forces. They are arguably the biggest scars on the Yunlu Immortal Sect.

Chen Ye said, "If the Yunlu Immortal Sect really cared, they wouldn't have kept these three lakes, let alone turned them into a famous scenic spot in the Western Region. I admire the Yunlu Immortal Sect. They even destroyed this Cloud City back then, but now they have rebuilt it and made it even better than before. This is something that not just anyone can do."

Mo Suixin also sighed, "That's true. Compared to them, the Incense Burning Sect is indeed far inferior."

Destruction precedes construction, starting over—these words are simple, but they are easier said than done.

Looking at the current state of the Incense Burning Sect, it's hard to say whether it can even remain a minor, unorthodox sect. Seeing that the atmosphere was getting tense, Chen Ye changed the subject, saying, "I wonder what the Immortal Realm is like. Is every place more beautiful than this March Lake?"

Mo Suixin laughed and said, "Then the Immortal Realm is too dazzling. Seeing such scenery every day would probably get boring after a while."

"That's true. After we ascend, we can see who gets tired of it first."

Upon hearing this, Mo Suixin turned to Chen Ye and asked, "Do you want to ascend with me?"

"Ascend together? That's probably unlikely. I'm almost at the Nascent Soul stage now, while you've only just passed the Profound Realm. It'll be many years before I reach that stage."

Chen Ye laughed heartily, and Mo Suixin angrily punched him. Who was as monstrous as him? She had already worked very hard in her cultivation.

Unfortunately, this punch was nothing more than a tickle to Chen Ye.

Looking at the magnificent scenery on the ground, Chen Ye said to Mo Suixin, "Alright, enough joking. No matter who ascends to the Immortal Realm first, let's wait patiently. Whether it's a year or a hundred years, we'll meet again after we've achieved immortality."

Mo Suixin snorted and muttered, "You should solve your cultivation problem first. Can you master the swordsmanship that Sheng Huai'an gave you within a hundred years?"

Chen Ye immediately fell silent.

The sword manual didn't look thick, but he estimated it would take him half a year to master even the first move. It wasn't just one movement, but a whole set of movements, along with a method for circulating spiritual energy, making it a hundred times more difficult than meditation and qi cultivation. He didn't understand why he could learn other spells so smoothly, but when he held a sword, he was a complete mess, turning into a total idiot.

Upon closer reflection, it wasn't because of the sword.

As long as Chen Ye has any magical weapon in his hand, no matter which one it is, his internal spiritual energy circulation will be disrupted due to distraction. The only weapon Chen Ye can use is the Ruyi Divine Weapon, because there's no need to be particular about it; you can just swing it with great force and that's it.

Seeing that Chen Ye was speechless, Mo Suixin, who had gained a verbal advantage, immediately became happy, and her face lit up with a bright smile.

Chen Ye was about to retort when he heard a strange noise. He turned around and saw a mortal lying on the ladder to heaven, slowly climbing upwards.

The fierce wind in the sky made his robes flutter loudly, and his face was covered with white frost, as if he was on the verge of freezing.

Chen Ye glanced at him and said, "Looks like a mortal climbing a ladder to become a disciple."

Each sect has two ways of accepting disciples: one is that the sect's experts will accept anyone they find pleasing as a disciple, and the other is to conduct tests designed according to the sect's characteristics and open to the general public.

The Yellow Springs Sect is a trial in hell, the Compassionate Heart Temple is a tonsure ceremony, and the Cloud Peak Immortal Sect is this ladder to heaven.

Any mortal who can climb to the gates of Cloud City can at least become a menial disciple.

The journey wasn't just about cold and strong winds; there were also various trials left by the Yunlu Immortal Sect. This person's perseverance in climbing this far is already astonishing, but there's still at least halfway to the summit.

Upon seeing this person, Mo Suixin muttered, "It seems that today's last match was just right."

Chen Ye asked in confusion, "I thought you just wanted to enjoy the scenery with me, but it turns out you had your fortune told? Why didn't you tell me?"

Mo Suixin laughed and said, "If I told you in advance, how would I know if you were genuinely accompanying me or just doing business? Hurry up and save this person. If my divination is correct, then this person is of great importance."

Chen Ye took out a talisman from his storage bag and flicked it onto the person.

Suddenly, a burst of heat rose up, and the frost on the person's body turned into mist and dissipated.

This is a warm-up talisman that Chen Ye came up with himself. When he has free time, he likes to think about various spells and formations and make some little gadgets that are not very useful.

This talisman can ward off the cold, but that's about all it does.

Chen Ye wasn't afraid of breaking the rules of the Yunlu Immortal Sect. Yu Shenxing had told him that during the years when the Yunlu Immortal Sect had the most visitors, those mortals would seize the opportunity to climb the Heavenly Ladder, hoping to meet one or two cultivators along the way who would take pity on them and give them a ride.

This is called destiny, and luck is an indispensable part of cultivating immortality. Anyway, once you enter the sect, you're just a menial servant, and if you fail to cultivate in the future, you'll still be sent back.

Therefore, Chen Ye didn't mind lending a hand. Besides, Mo Suixin had said that this person was of great importance.

The mortal, having just warmed up, did not continue climbing. Instead, he repeatedly kowtowed to Chen Ye, loudly pleading, "Immortal Master, please save my life! I beg you to have mercy!"

Chen Ye was puzzled; this person didn't seem to be here to become an apprentice.

Upon closer inspection, the man appeared to be in his thirties or forties, thin, with dark skin, resembling a farmer.

Chen Ye asked, "Have you encountered any danger?"

The man hurriedly said, "Plague! Everyone in the county has been infected with the plague and is dying. Only our family of seven is left. But the entire county is shrouded in fog, and we can't get out. There are dead people everywhere..."

Chen Ye felt increasingly uneasy as he listened. The plague zone in the western region should have been sealed off by the Yunlu Immortal Sect with an array. If this person was infected with the plague, how could he have come out?
Moreover, the plague has raged for so long that most people have been killed by the illusion of dreams. How could he have survived until now?
Just as I was about to ask him what was going on, I saw the man fall headfirst onto the ladder.

Chen Ye thought he was either exhausted or too emotional.

But upon closer inspection, it turned out the person was asleep and even snoring.

Chen Ye recalled what the man had just said: his family of seven seemed to still be alive, but the food in the county town was almost gone, so he forced his way out of the plague zone and begged the Yunlu Immortal Sect for help.

Mo Suixin said to Chen Ye, "This person survived the plague and was able to break through the formation to get here. There must be something extraordinary about him. That's why I decided to rescue him after I calculated it."

Chen Ye pondered for a moment and said, "Let me give it a try."

Speculation is speculation, but Chen Ye still needs to confirm it further.

When the Great Law of Transformation was applied, Chen Ye immediately connected his senses with this person and instantly sensed the person's dream.

Not much different from other mortals, he still dreams of wealth, glory, health, and longevity. However, this person has some unusual hobbies. In his dream, he has a house full of children and grandchildren, with over a thousand sons alone. Perhaps he is a single-lineage heir, which is why he desires many children and blessings.

But a dream is just a dream, and he was no different from the others who contracted the plague. How did he survive? Could it be that he was one in a million with a strong will who could resist the temptation of dreams?
Just as he was wondering, Chen Ye suddenly felt as if this beautiful dream had shattered like a mirror, as if a huge black shadow had descended, bitten the dream to pieces, and swallowed it whole.

Chen Ye was startled and quickly dispelled the Great Freedom Technique. The man also slowly woke up from his dream, but he did not harm himself. Instead, his brows were furrowed, as if he had been awakened from a nightmare.

Before he could speak, Chen Ye summoned a cloud to lift the man up, and then said to Mo Suixin, "This is of great importance. I'll accompany you to see the sunrise next time."

Mo Suixin smiled slightly, thinking that there would be plenty of time in the future, and this one time wouldn't make a difference.

Auspicious clouds carried the three of them upwards.

(End of this chapter)