Yu Mi could undergo her Ascension Tribulation at any moment, and the possibility left Bao Gu with a mounting sense of urgency.
On the second day after returning to Emissary Manor, Bao Gu went to the Ancient Wasteland Mountain Range to inspect the construction of the Boundary-Breaking Portal.
Nine dragon veins had been gathered, and the Ascension Platform, built from Five-Element Immortal Stones, was under construction. So far, however, only its foundation had been completed. At this rate, it would take at least another thousand years to finish the platform—and Bao Gu could not wait that long.
She took only a distant look at the Boundary-Breaking Portal before returning to Emissary Manor. She went straight to Bao Nianhui’s study, where she found Bao Nianhui bent over Hatchet Gang jade slips, reviewing and approving them.
Bao Nianhui suddenly sensed someone appear in front of her. Startled, she jerked her head up and saw that it was her Master. She hurriedly rose.
Bao Gu raised a hand slightly, signaling for Bao Nianhui to sit. She casually turned and sat down in a nearby chair.
“How have Sun Dilong and Wang Ding been doing over the past several hundred years?”
Bao Nianhui thought for a moment.
“The Left Emissary and Wealth Emissary have always been devoted to their duties. The Hatchet Gang’s ability to maintain its current position has depended on a great deal of their effort. Their cultivation, however, seems to have become more difficult. Neither of their cultivation realms has improved much.”
Bao Gu nodded lightly.
“Nianhui, would you like to come with me to the Upper Realm?”
Bao Nianhui’s lips parted slightly in surprise, but the surprise soon gave way to disappointment.
“My cultivation is too weak. I don’t even know when I will be able to become an immortal.”
“You don’t have to become an immortal to go to the Upper Realm. I can take you. All you need to tell me is whether you are willing to leave with us.”
“Can I? Can someone ascend to the Upper Realm without becoming an immortal or using the Ascension Platform?”
“As long as you can withstand the force that shreds everything apart while crossing the boundary, where couldn’t you go?”
“I am willing to go with you and Martial Uncle, Master.”
“No need to think it over?”
“No. The purpose of cultivation is to become an immortal and ascend to the Upper Realm. Now that I can ascend with Master and Martial Uncle, of course I have to go with you.”
“If you stay, the cultivation world’s number-one force will be yours. Before I leave, I will make arrangements to give you enough strength to protect yourself.”
“I manage the Hatchet Gang so I can obtain cultivation resources more easily, cultivate to immortality, and ascend to the Upper Realm. If I gave up ascending for the Hatchet Gang’s power, wouldn’t that be putting the cart before the horse?”
Bao Gu smiled.
“Good. I’m glad you understand.”
After a brief pause, Bao Gu asked:
“Have you read all the classics and books on the Upper Realm that I left for you?”
“I have. I understand the Upper Realm somewhat now.”
“Good. Nianhui, quickly consolidate every cultivation resource that can be taken away. Then gather everyone you trust, everyone you wish to bring, and everyone who is willing to follow you. Your Martial Uncle could undergo her tribulation at any moment. Given her strength, the odds that she will successfully pass the Ascension Tribulation are extremely high. Once she succeeds, we will go to the Upper Realm while the Immortal Gate is open.”
Bao Nianhui blurted out:
“What about the Ascension Platform?”
As soon as the question left her lips, she saw a shadow of deep melancholy pass through her Master’s eyes.
Bao Gu said nothing. She rose and left Bao Nianhui’s study.
Afterward, Bao Gu contacted Feng Yi and Nanshan Yijian and asked them to come to Emissary Manor. She also had Yu Jianming invite Hua Sheng, Feng Menglong, and the others. Then she summoned Si Ruo, Qu Yirou, and Jade Shura, who were staying at Emissary Manor. Wang Ding and Sun Dilong were called over as well.
Once everyone had arrived, Bao Gu met with them. She did not waste time on pleasantries and went straight to the point.
“After Yu Mi passes her tribulation, I have decided to leave this realm while the Immortal Gate is open.”
Si Ruo was startled.
“Can one ascend to the Upper Realm without using the Ascension Platform?”
“The greatest obstacles between this realm and the Upper Realm are the powerful astral-wind layer covering this realm and its exceptionally sturdy spatial boundary wall. If the Heavenly Dao opens that boundary, my strength gives me a good chance of crossing the inter-realm void to reach the Upper Realm.”
“Then what about the Ascension Platform?”
Bao Gu let out a deep, wistful sigh.
“Even if the Ascension Platform were completed, how many people would have enough strength to set foot on it? And how many could survive the tribulation of becoming immortal? For the sake of the Ascension Platform and the grand promise of immortality, countless forces keep a close eye on it. The moment they see even the slightest opening, they will stop at nothing to seize it.
“I once wanted to rebuild the Ascension Platform so this realm would have another route to the Upper Realm. But it has already become something the cultivation world must fight over for power. Whoever controls the Ascension Platform controls the right to speak in the cultivation world. Whoever holds it is the one in charge.”
Qu Yirou asked:
“What are you planning to do with the Ascension Platform?”
“Think back to when my Immortal Tomb appeared. Countless forces in the cultivation world tried to put me to death, while the people willing to protect me could be counted on one hand. I have become completely disillusioned with the cultivators of this realm, with human nature, and with them. Since you are all here today, I will be completely frank with you.
“The Upper Realm is a vast, boundless place, many times larger than this world. Immortals, demons, humans, gods, ghosts, countless races, and every kind of faction exist there. Some beings are so weak they are practically mortals; others are powerful enough to destroy an entire region with a casual gesture. It is no paradise. It is a world even more brutal than this one.
“But as long as you reach the Upper Realm safely, even if you are mortals, you can continue cultivating and set out on the path toward becoming an immortal, a king, or an emperor. You can think it over. If you want to leave with me, give me an answer and I will take you.”
“If you would rather become immortal in the future, or wait until the Ascension Platform is completed and leave through it instead…”
Bao Gu paused before continuing.
“The coordinates to the Upper Realm given to me by my Master’s wife lead to a region of spatial turbulence. One wrong step, and you could be lost in the chaos forever, never finding the way again. Give me your unique insignia. I will build another teleportation portal at those coordinates and imprint your insignia on it. You can use the insignia to activate the portal, and it will transport you to a safe place.”
Nanshan Yijian pondered briefly.
“Do you mean that we don’t need to become immortals now or pass through the Ascension Platform, and can still follow you to the Upper Realm? How many people can you take by yourself?”
“Senior Nanshan, do you still remember my massive storage bag? It is a true divine treasure. Even if something goes wrong—even if I die—it will not be destroyed.”
Nanshan Yijian immediately rose.
“Once Yu Mi passes her tribulation, I will unseal Jun Ye and ascend with you all.”
He cupped his fists and bowed to Bao Gu.
“Thank you.”
Si Ruo said:
“This matter is too important. I need to go back and discuss it.”
Qu Yirou said:
“I also need to return to Soul Chasing Pavillion and discuss this with the elders.”
She glanced at Jade Shura.
“Whatever happens, Aguai is definitely going with you. If Aguai had to rely on her own strength to cultivate and ascend, who knows how many years it would take? If she misses this chance to ‘stow away’ to the Upper Realm with Bao Gu, there will never be another.”
Bao Gu considered this briefly before speaking.
“Nianhui has already decided to go with me to the Upper Realm. I intend to disband the Hatchet Gang.”
Everyone present jumped in shock.
“What?”
The cultivation world’s number-one force was going to disband?
Wang Ding and Sun Dilong’s expressions changed.
Bao Gu looked at the two of them.
“You two were the first to follow me. You have always been utterly loyal, and I, Bao Gu, have never forgotten it. If you are willing to go with me to the Upper Realm, then as long as I live, I will protect you. What you have now will remain yours in the future as well. As long as you do not betray me, I will never fail you.”
She looked at Sun Dilong.
“Sun Dilong, if you don’t want to leave, all of Dilong Fort’s holdings will belong to you. Any members of the Hatchet Gang’s army who wish to serve Dilong Fort may follow you. In addition, I will leave you twenty domain-breaking warships, each a hundred zhang long, as well as a hundred small Daluo Red Gold warships. I will also pass on several cultivation manuals for demon cultivators from the Upper Realm. That will be enough for you to establish your own power, found a sect, and stand on your own.”
Sun Dilong stared at Bao Gu in shock and disbelief.
He feared Bao Gu profoundly; that fear was rooted in his very bones. He had never dared harbor even the slightest thought of betraying her, or even imagined breaking away and establishing himself. He had long since resigned himself to serving Bao Gu.
Yet now Bao Gu was offering him a chance to found a sect and be his own master.
It was an enormous temptation. His current achievements were certainly the result of years of painstaking management, but without Bao Gu’s support, the businesses he had built would have been crushed long ago by the various forces coveting them.
The Hatchet Gang’s vast foundation and power would inevitably suffer attacks, both overt and covert, and face all kinds of crises once Bao Gu was gone. Could he handle those crises after establishing an independent power? Could his meager strength protect him?
In this cultivation world, where the strong preyed on the weak, he would be nothing but a fat piece of meat that everyone wanted a bite of.
By contrast, given Bao Gu’s character, as long as she had meat to eat, she would never force her followers to settle for broth. Following Bao Gu meant walking a straight road to heaven. Even after reaching the Upper Realm, she would still have powerful backers to protect them.
If he stayed in this realm, the most he could reach would be the Earth Immortal stage. An Earth Immortal would not even be worth a single slap in the Lord’s hands. What would there be worth valuing?
If he eventually became a True Immortal, he would still have to ascend to the Upper Realm. Going there alone without a powerful backer would likely be even harder than remaining in this realm. In the end, he would still have to seek refuge with the Lord.
While Sun Dilong was lost in thought, Bao Gu shifted her gaze to Wang Ding. Wang Ding had already dropped to his knees and slammed his forehead against the floor with a loud thud.
“Lord, I swear to follow you to the death.”
Bao Gu was briefly taken aback, then nodded lightly.
“Very well.”
Having made up his mind, Sun Dilong also dropped to his knees and struck his forehead against the floor.
“Lord, I am willing to follow you to the Upper Realm and continue serving you.”
Qu Yirou and Si Ruo exchanged stunned looks.
The Hatchet Gang’s Lord, Chief Emissary, Young Lord, Left Emissary, and Wealth Emissary had all decided to go to the Upper Realm. Had they truly decided to disband? Were they planning to ascend as an entire sect?
Bao Gu raised a hand lightly.
“Rise. I have instructions for you to carry out immediately.”
Sun Dilong and Wang Ding stood and bowed respectfully.
“The cultivation resources of this realm will still be useful in the Upper Realm. Take everything we can carry. Find a way to sell whatever cannot be carried and turn it into cultivation resources. Sun Dilong will handle the Hatchet Gang’s cultivation resources. Each of you will deal with your own private holdings.”
“Yes!”
“The Hatchet Gang has always operated on a merit system. Many cultivators have yet to redeem their merit. They performed tasks for the Hatchet Gang, so the gang cannot refuse to honor what it owes them. Publish a notice through the Hatchet Gang Inn and let all the rogue cultivators redeem their merit. Wang Ding, if I remember correctly, you are in charge of the Hatchet Gang Inn, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I will see it done properly.”
“People from various sects and factions have come to seek refuge in the Hatchet Gang’s Inner Hall. Although many of them are spies planted by those sects and factions, anyone admitted to the Inner Hall has served the Hatchet Gang and is an elite…”
Bao Gu paused.
“Give them severance compensation according to their merit and position. Anyone holding a branch hall master position or higher, anyone who has reached twelve merit ranks, and anyone who was originally promised an Ascension Token must receive one. An Ascension Token can also activate the teleportation portal to the Upper Realm.”
She looked at Bao Nianhui.
“Nianhui, you, the Wealth Emissary, and the Left Emissary will gather all the hall masters and branch hall masters and decide the severance compensation for those below twelve merit ranks and those below the rank of deputy branch hall master. You do not need to report it to me. You have full authority to decide.”
“Yes!”
Bao Gu paused briefly before adding:
“One final provision: Any member of any Inner Hall department who is willing to swear a blood oath of allegiance may ascend to the Upper Realm with me.”
Si Ruo asked in disbelief:
“Bao Gu, are you really ending the Hatchet Gang’s entire foundation just like that? The cultivation world’s number-one force, disbanding at a word?”
“The Hatchet Gang’s structure has always been complicated, making it easy for the organization to fall apart. If I disband it myself, at least it can end in the most peaceful way, with the least bloodshed.”
Qu Yirou was not surprised that Bao Gu was capable of doing such a thing, but the act itself left her extremely shocked.
Throughout history, powers had only ever been destroyed by others or faded away on their own. None had ever voluntarily disbanded. Even if Bao Gu took the Hatchet Gang’s most elite and core members with her, she could take only a fraction of them. What she was dissolving, however, was a power spread across nearly the entire cultivation world.
“You’re simply…”
Qu Yirou did not even know what else to say.
Bao Gu’s lips held a smile, but her eyes were icy. Standing in the hall and gazing at the sky beyond, she spoke:
“I actually wanted everyone in the cultivation world to step onto the Ascension Platform and ascend to the Upper Realm as soon as their cultivation reached the required level. I wanted rogue cultivators to be able to obtain cultivation resources without being bullied. I wanted to avoid having to build such a huge power just to protect myself.
“Building the Ascension Platform would benefit everyone in this realm. Even those who could not ascend would receive nourishment from the abundant immortal power of the Upper Realm whenever someone used it. But how many people and forces tried to kill me when I reappeared, all because of that platform?
“If I made the Ascension Platform a direct passage that anyone could use to ascend to the Upper Realm, I dare say that once the people of this realm reached the Upper Realm, some of them would certainly collude with Upper Realm forces for their own benefit and move against me.
“This world, this age, has chilled my heart to the core.”
No one there had expected Bao Gu to say such things. So many people were present, yet not one could find a response.
The hall fell silent.
After a long while, Bao Gu sighed again.
“Heaven never leaves anyone without a way forward. Anyone truly capable can ascend to the Upper Realm without using the Ascension Platform.”
After saying this, she gave everyone present a storage bag.
“The storage bags contain things I have left for you. Open them after you return. No two are the same.”
With that, she turned and left.
The news released by the Hatchet Gang afterward sent shockwaves through the cultivation world.
Everyone had expected Bao Gu to make a major move. Many had guessed that she would eliminate threats to Bao Nianhui before ascending. Just as they were going to great lengths to find out whether their names were on the Hatchet Gang’s purge list, they received the news that the Hatchet Gang would disband—and that Bao Gu would take everyone in the gang who had sworn loyalty to her to the Upper Realm.
The entire cultivation world erupted.
The Hatchet Gang’s next moves left the whole cultivation world utterly stunned!
