The Eight Chimes of Su Mo’s Ascension

Bringing them together, the Ghost General saw that Gong Nianxian’s preparations were nearly complete. He then retrieved the Soul-Nurturing Lamp.

From within it, Su Mo’s soul flew out, instantly drawn to the massive stone, settling firmly at the very center of the ritual.

“Crack.” The colossal stone began to reshape itself, shedding fragments as it transformed into Su Mo’s likeness.

With swift precision, a red robe adorned the statue, and countless enchanted ornaments flew forth, decorating Su Mo’s divine effigy in succession.

“Buzz… buzz…” The bell and bronze sword, which the Ghost General had stored away, began to stir and hum within him.

He took them out, musing that despite being mere artifacts, they had accompanied Su Mo for so long that they held significance. Thus, he placed them alongside the other items.

“Then I won’t keep them,” the Ghost General murmured. “They shall be returned to her now.”

He retrieved Su Mo’s Storage Ring, which he had held onto, and glanced over most of its contents.

Counting all the marginally better items, there was only a Dark Thunder Bow, a battle bell, a Resonance Bell, and a bronze longsword.

“A poor, unfortunate girl, just as penniless as the two of us,” he sighed, shaking his head before tossing the items from his hand.

Naturally, they found their rightful places, reverently settling beside Su Mo’s divine effigy.

Moments later, all arrangements were complete, and the Path of Incense Godhood ritual commenced.

“Clang! Clang! Clang!”

Nine earth-shattering chimes resonated, swiftly spreading beyond the Nine Heavens.

Many powerful cultivators were astonished. Upon performing divinations, they discovered that the subject refused “location sharing.”

Protected by heaven and earth, not even a fraction of their whereabouts could be divined.

Only the three villages nestled beneath the great mountain had a direct, unobstructed view of the unfolding scene.

Old and young alike ceased their tasks, gazing up at the extraordinary phenomenon in the sky.

A golden hue permeated the sky, as clouds rolled and gradually parted, revealing three thousand divine countenances coalescing behind them.

Various deities, bound by the rules of heaven and earth, had been specially invited to assess whether the “aspirant Incense God” was truly qualified for elevation.

“…” Gong Nianxian and the Ghost General stood to the side, setting up a censer and lighting incense, their hearts beginning to voice their intentions.

Many gazes fell upon them, clearly hearing the silent wishes of the two.

Their attention then shifted to Su Mo’s divine effigy.

A unique rule had already descended: with the divine effigy at its center, everything within a certain radius became completely still.

Before this, all the placed items had automatically arranged themselves according to a distinct pattern, subtly embodying certain Great Dao principles, each settling in a different orientation.

“What kind of scene was this?”

A trace of divinity, like a luminous wisdom, flickered between Su Mo’s statue’s brows, then instantly enveloped everything around it.

The tall Underworld warhorse, Skinny Horse, knelt on the right, quietly enjoying the caress of one of Su Mo’s divine hands.

Two weapons hung from its back: the Dark Thunder Bow and a bronze longsword.

Beside them, a delicate little girl, none other than Zhang Jingmeng from within the sword, now lay nestled on Su Mo’s lap, her small head tilted up, gazing at the divine effigy’s profile.

Su Mo’s divine effigy lowered its gaze, its carved eyes remarkably lifelike, radiating peace, serenity, and a touch of compassion, as it smiled upon the surrounding creatures.

The various forest creatures that had entered earlier—foxes, rabbits, wolves, mice, birds, and more—formed a veritable procession of beasts, joyfully circling her effigy. Their frozen postures suggested they had been playfully interacting moments before, now held in a tableau of peace.

Seated gracefully, Su Mo’s divine effigy wore a long red gown adorned with a pattern of nine birds dancing together, beneath which was a white robe edged with gold. At a glance, it appeared both alluring and dignified.

Most striking were the nine white fox tails fanning out behind Su Mo. Numerous birds perched quietly on them, singing, while dancing butterflies fluttered alongside the nine tails.

Fox ears atop her head seemed to listen to the wind, while three thousand strands of silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, gathered partly by a white jade hairpin.

Jade pendants dangled from her ears; the crimson earrings, like her enchanting eyes, glowed with a faint red light.

Yet, this gaze was not menacing; rather, it was softened by the surrounding natural aura, lending her an understated air of majesty.

Her flowing silver hair draped gracefully over her ample bosom.

Her other hand rested gently, slender fingers lightly touching her jade-like foot, while a vibrant red string bell was wound around her right ankle.

Several towering trees behind her provided shade, and falling leaves hung suspended in the air, creating a touch of romance.

Though many more details remained unmentioned, the immortals and gods who cast their gazes upon her couldn’t help but exclaim:

“She possesses a certain immortal grace.”

“Crack!” The water buffalo horn on Gong Nianxian’s head snapped and vanished, yet he gritted his teeth, remaining perfectly still.

Instead, he bowed towards the sky, silently offering words of gratitude in his heart.

A True Demon, having agreed to his transaction, was the first to nod, eagerly acquiring a pair of True Demon horns.

A bloody profit!

“Buzz~ buzz~” Two crimson threads of light materialized, circling around Su Mo’s divine effigy.

Once their number was sufficient, these threads of light would coalesce into various objects, symbolizing Su Mo’s authority as an Incense God.

For instance, the Ghost General possessed a golden halo behind him, comprising six rings that rotated in opposing directions, simultaneously representing his six distinct powers.

Whether Su Mo’s would succeed remained uncertain for now; it still depended on the approval of several immortals and gods.

As time passed, ethereal immortal music drifted down from above, accompanied by voices:

“Her nature is good, her aptitude fair, she possesses merit, and kindness…”

One such affirmation brought forth a thread of golden and blue light.

The Ghost General’s eyes lit up. He recognized the nodding immortal, the River God who presided over a thousand rivers.

This was also one of the immortals whose temples were most widely established.

Every year, the Ghost General would sweep his temples and fulfill vows, accumulating considerable merit in the process.

“A pure soul, an intriguing heart, seemingly having undergone a nirvana—excellent~”

Another affirmation arrived, bringing with it a thread of red and golden light.

The Ghost General’s heart settled, realizing his usual efforts had not been in vain.

Yet, just as he calmed down, and Gong Nianxian marveled at his connections, things began to take an unexpected turn.

“Acceptable!”

“Most benevolent.”

“I have no objections.”

“This concubine agrees~”

“Approved.”

“Passed…”

…

Large streams of light descended, even coalescing into halos.

They were vibrant and multicolored, signifying that nearly all types of immortals and gods had, to some extent, acknowledged Su Mo.

“…” Staring blankly, the Ghost General realized for the first time that these threads of light could be blindingly brilliant!

“Buzz~” A rainbow halo hovered behind Su Mo’s divine effigy, its dazzling radiance illuminating the surroundings.

“Clang~” A single chime rang out, symbolizing the extent of Su Mo’s approval and her potential within the Path of Incense Godhood.

“Clang~” A second chime sounded, slightly startling many powerful cultivators who were observing the event.

Though they knew neither who nor where, these cultivators understood that this Incense God was certainly no mere figurehead.

“Clang~” A third chime.

Gong Nianxian abruptly looked up, astonished as he gazed at Su Mo’s divine effigy, now bathed in a vibrant, iridescent glow.

This already signified that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Su Mo would undoubtedly reach his level of power, perhaps even surpassing it.

“It seems there’s no need to worry,” Gong Nianxian stated, feeling reassured. “My investment is now secure.”

“Clang~”

“Clang~”

“Clang~”

A total of six chimes! This directly stunned countless powerful cultivators, and the news swept across the four seas and eight wildernesses.

Even many of the participating immortals and gods displayed a hint of surprise.

This Nine-Tailed Fox girl had somewhat exceeded their expectations.

They had discussed it, and even if they held Su Mo in high regard for certain reasons, they hadn’t believed she could surpass five chimes.

After all, only seventy-two immortals and gods had nodded their approval; this scale shouldn’t have exceeded five chimes.

“Hahahahahaha!!” The Ghost General was ecstatic. “What did five chimes signify?”

It meant Su Mo possessed the potential to ascend to the immortal realm… specifically, that she could cultivate to the immortal stage even without relying on the Path of Incense Godhood.

This was almost the highest realm pursued by all cultivators.

Realms beyond that were matters discussed only among immortals and gods themselves.

“…” Gong Nianxian was utterly dumbfounded, even as the seventh chime echoed in his ears.

“Interesting,” an immortal chuckled.

With such a display, Su Mo was destined to become an immortal god, working alongside them in the future to combat external threats.

“Clang~” As the eighth chime fell, a myriad of beasts cried out in unison.

Across the vast continent, the joyous cries of living beings resounded everywhere.

“Wielding command over all beasts? Su Mo actually gained divine authority ahead of time?” The Ghost General was utterly stunned.

Logically, the development of the Path of Incense Godhood should involve achieving a divine body first, then gradually completing other aspects.

Acquiring more divine duties, divine authority, divine power, and so on, required immense incense offerings and profound insights, condensed bit by bit.

To gain divine authority on the very first day of becoming an Incense God?

Unheard of!

Eagerly, the Ghost General perked up his ears, truly wishing to hear the legendary ninth chime.

It was said that every Incense God who achieved nine chimes invariably became a Supreme God.

The only Supreme God the Ghost General knew of was the Dragon Ancestor.

Almost, with open eyes, day dawned; with closed eyes, the earth darkened.

But…

“There’s no ninth chime?” The Ghost General felt a fleeting moment of disappointment, then suddenly slapped himself across the face.

Look at him, he was actually dissatisfied?!

This was an eight-chime divine awakening, the qualification of an immortal among immortals!

And he was still not satisfied with this?

“Heheheh—!” Gong Nianxian inadvertently exposed his true nature, only to be kicked awake by the Ghost General.

“Old man, rein it in, it’s not over yet… Huh? Why are the immortals and gods leaving?” The Ghost General was bewildered.

“I don’t know,” Gong Nianxian replied, equally puzzled, watching as the clouds returned to their serene state.

The heavens and earth could agree to things not done according to requirements?

And what about the procedures for the new Incense God, like offering commendations and bestowing divine titles? Were they just skipping them?

“What are we to do! Su Mo’s divine name, divine authority, divine duties—none of them have been finalized! How are we to know which direction she should take in the future?!”

“What do we do… what do we do…” Gong Nianxian murmured, his mind reeling.

The great ups and downs of life were simply too thrilling.

Yet, even as they fretted, the immortals and gods above were even more anxious.

According to the later records of one immortal god, on that day, a massive influx of Incense Gods suddenly emerged across the four seas and eight wildernesses.

Even many superficial Incense Gods were unconditionally acknowledged and approved by the immortals.

Some celebrated, calling it a joyous occasion.

Others worried, declaring a great upheaval in the world.

But only the true immortal gods understood what they were truly trying to conceal.

“Regarding the nine chimes, everyone, this must not be spread,” a Supreme God opened their eyes.

“Indeed, it must not be. We absolutely cannot let her perish prematurely…”

“Hmm, what is her name?”

Below, all the immortals replied in unison:

“Su Mo.”