Cultivating Immortality :I Obtained The Villain's Ascension Code-Chapter 72: One Step from Heaven

Just as the old man descended from the sky, a heavy pressure blanketed the area. The three Shadowclaw Sect disciples narrowed their eyes in unison.

Why would a late-stage Nascent Soul Realm expert appear here?

A cultivator of that level rarely concerned themselves with petty disputes. Even at its peak, the Shadowclaw Sect had only possessed three such experts—and each one had been a cornerstone of the sect’s strength.

To reach this stage was to stand at the pinnacle of the mortal cultivation world. With such power, one could establish a first-tier sect single-handedly.

So why had one emerged now... over a mere gate incident?

Meng Qing’s brows lifted. "Who is he?"

Elder Yu Fang’s gaze swept across Meng Qing and the others, pausing briefly on Wu Fang.

"Hmph. I see. So this is how far the Shadowclaw Sect has fallen—relying on old beasts and unruly juniors to throw their weight around."

Qian Mo’s fists clenched. "They struck first—"

"Silence." Yu Fang sneered, his spiritual pressure rising sharply. Qian Mo stumbled back a step, feeling as if the blood in his veins had suddenly chilled.

Xu Long stepped forward. "You’re threatening a junior in the city’s protected zone? Aren’t you a little too eager to die, Yu Fang?"

Yu Fang’s expression darkened. "You think too highly of yourself. Even Mie Lin wouldn’t dare say that to me. Besides, it’s your disciple’s fault."

Meng Qing folded her arms. "So now it’s a crime to defend oneself from your lackeys’ insults and attacks? You Bone Forging dogs think this city belongs to you?"

"Impudent girl!"

Yu Fang’s voice boomed like thunder. His aura erupted in all directions. "I could shatter your bones where you stand, and none here would dare raise a hand to stop me!"

"Then try it."

The words were soft, but the reply struck like a blade.

In the next instant, a heavy pressure surged upward—Xu Long had stepped forward. His aura, which had been dormant until now, rose like a silent mountain. Though it lacked the explosive fury of Yu Fang’s, it was no less suffocating.

The two guards, still groaning on the ground, suddenly raised their heads in alarm. One of them cried out, "E-Elder! He was concealing his cultivation! He struck before we could even react—!"

But Yu Fang raised a hand, silencing them as he studied Xu Long more closely.

For a spirit beast, there was too much control. Too much restraint.

"...Late-stage Fourth Rank," Yu Fang muttered, narrowing his eyes. "You’ve advanced since last I saw you."

Xu Long said nothing. His expression remained unchanged—calm to the point of arrogance.

"Very well," Yu Fang finally said. "Since you insist on entering, I’ll let you through... this once."

Meng Qing sneered. "How generous."

The guards staggered to their feet, still glaring, but they didn’t dare block the way again.

"Let’s go."

Elder Xu stepped forward, leading the three disciples through the gate into the Core Region—the innermost sanctum of Evil Dragon City.

Unlike the chaotic outer zones, the Core Region radiated an eerie stillness. The streets here were paved with black jade tiles etched with sealing runes. Towering spirit lanterns floated along wide boulevards, casting pale red light over elaborate pavilions and spirit pagodas.

The air was heavier, more refined. Even the qi here was multiple times denser.

Only members of the Three Founding Sects were permitted to dwell here. Residences were spaced far apart, each surrounded by its own defensive arrays, spirit beasts, and formations.

Meng Qing glanced around, brow furrowed. "There’s barely anyone out."

Elder Xu nodded. "Of course. No one here needs to walk the streets unless they want to be seen. These are old monsters—either weighing when to break through, scheming, or simply sleeping."

Not long after, they arrived at a quiet estate nestled near the central marrow vein—where the death qi was so dense it shimmered like fog. This was the Shadowclaw Sect’s ancestral compound, built directly atop one of the divine beast’s spinal knots.

A formation gate opened at Elder Xu’s approach. Inside, rows of black-robed disciples stood in silence. They bowed respectfully from a distance. A few breaths later, several elders walked out from the inner courtyard to greet them.

At the front was a short, silver-haired woman with sharp eyes and a calm presence. Despite her age, her steps were steady, and her spiritual pressure was unmistakable.

This was Zhou Ruyan, a Half-Step Nascent Soul cultivator and one of the senior caretakers of the Core Region.

"Welcome back, Elder Xu," she said with a polite nod. "We heard there was some... trouble at the gate?"

Xu Long waved a hand. "Nothing worth talking about."

Zhou Ruyan gave a thin smile. "Even so, your return has stirred up some attention. A few elders are already asking questions."

She glanced briefly at the three disciples behind him, her gaze unreadable.

Meng Qing stepped forward and bowed. "Senior Zhou. Is Master here?"

Just as Zhou Ruyan opened her mouth to reply, several rays of light descended from the sky, piercing through the faint fog of death qi like falling stars.

A moment later, three figures emerged—Elder Qian, Shi Ling, and at the front, Mie Lin herself.

"Master!" Meng Qing’s eyes lit up as she stepped forward with a smile.

Mie Lin’s expression softened briefly at the sight of her disciple, but it faded just as quickly. Her tone turned cold.

"You little troublemaker... causing a scene the moment you arrive."

Shi Ling and Elder Qian exchanged glances, both sighing inwardly. Clearly, they had overheard much on the way.

"Master, it was them!" Meng Qing gestured toward the entrance. "They refused to let us pass. Elder Xu saw everything."

"Hmph... Old Xu, you shameless relic," Elder Qian snorted as he stepped forward, eyeing the other man. "So you finally broke through to the last stage and didn’t even tell me?"

Xu Long sneered faintly. "Oh? And what would be the point of telling you? Would it have helped you break through as well?"

"Hah. Arrogant as ever." Elder Qian rolled his eyes but stepped no closer.

To reach the Late Nascent Soul Realm was no trivial matter. In the Middle Stage, a cultivator’s Nascent Soul had barely stabilized its form, still absorbing qi inefficiently, and their divine sense remained limited in both reach and clarity. But in the Late Stage, the soul matured—qi flow became seamless, divine sense could scan entire cities, and a single thought could command high-grade treasures as easily as lifting a hand.

Late-stage cultivators were not merely powerful—they were political weapons. In ancient sect wars, they were often left untouched, not out of respect, but out of fear. No one wanted to provoke a being one step away from the Heavenly Tribulation Realm.

"Senior Brother Xu," Mie Lin stepping forward with an easy smile that softened her otherwise icy presence. "It’s good to see you again."

"Haha, likewise," Xu Long chuckled. "I should thank you. That time you gave me... was exactly what I needed to make the leap."

Elder Qian’s expression shifted slightly. His gaze narrowed. "So that’s why... you didn’t summon him during that time."

Mie Lin gave a faint, almost tired smile, but said nothing.

"Hmph. And here I thought you were arranging some grand contingency or hidden formation." Elder Qian crossed his arms, clearly annoyed.

"Old Qian, don’t be so sour," Xu Long said, laughing. "It was just a minor advancement—nothing worth envying."

"Minor, my ass." Elder Qian barked out a laugh. "You call stepping into the late stage small? You old turtle—you’re one realm away from shaking the heavens, while I’m still clawing at the middle stage!"

"Haha! Then cultivate harder!" Xu Long laughed heartily, clasping his hands behind his back as he walked toward the inner courtyard.

Shi Ling stifled a chuckle, while Zhou Ruyan raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The atmosphere, though charged, had lightened with the arrival of familiar faces.

Mie Lin’s eyes swept over the estate. "We’ll talk more inside. There’s still much to discuss before the Evil Gathering begins."

Xu Long gave a curt nod. "Come then. Let’s not waste time."