Chapter 153: Ascension (End)

Ever since Ning Xu stepped into the Mahayana Stage, the demon race had been getting restless. After all, becoming the life-bound spirit beast or secondary spirit beast of a cultivator with ascension potential was the most effective way to cling to a powerful backer.

If they couldn’t ascend on their own, they would find a cultivator capable of ascending and form a contract with them. This was an unspoken yet well-known strategy among the demon race.

Unfortunately for them, the six slots for secondary spirit beasts under Ning Xu had long been taken by six male fox demons, leaving no room for any other demon.

Some tried to seize a position from the male fox demons but ultimately failed.

Previously, these six male fox demons only shared a superficial bond, but in this matter, they stood united, firmly shutting out all competition and refusing to let any other demon get a chance.

Of course, the key reason they remained in place was Ning Xu’s stance—without her firm statement, Hu Ba and Hu Chen’s positions might truly have been taken.

To prevent her six contracted fox demons from being killed by other demons, she had to make it clear that even if a slot opened, she would not take in a new spirit beast. She would only ascend with her six old companions.

Seeing her firm attitude, the powerful elder demons finally gave up their schemes and abandoned their attempts to eliminate the fox demons.

As for the six male fox demons, they were immensely relieved, feeling that they had truly chosen the right master. Following her through these three thousand years had not been in vain.

With all of Ning Xu’s spirit beast slots filled, other demons turned their attention to Si Yan. He still had six available slots for secondary spirit beasts, but he had no interest in these seductive demons and remained highly wary of them.

Thus, in the end, the demon race could only pin their hopes on Ning Xu.

After all, if she spoke up and told Si Yan to contract spirit beasts, he would undoubtedly comply.

At this moment, while countless great demons had their eyes fixed on her, Ning Xu was leisurely chatting with Elder Wu, Wu Lüchen, Qingjiu Immortal, Qin Riluo, the Goddess, and the divine siblings.

Dan Niang smiled slyly. “Xu Xu, the way those demons are looking at you, their eyes are practically glowing green.”

Ning Xu could only sigh helplessly.

The temptation of ascension was simply too great. She and Si Yan were both very likely to succeed within a few years, making the demon race eager to curry favor with her.

Elder Wu took a sip of tea and teased, “Have you decided which demons to contract?”

Ning Xu replied, “I have.”

Hearing this, everyone’s curiosity was piqued. After all, those six slots were highly coveted! The entire demon race was fighting tooth and nail over them, yet the final decision rested entirely with Ning Xu. She alone could determine which six demons would ascend with her.

The only one completely uninterested in this discussion was Si Yan.

The Melon-Eating System chuckled mischievously, 【Don’t worry, Innocent Cultivator. The host likes you the most. All those other demons? They’re just subordinates.】

Si Yan naturally understood this, but knowing didn’t stop him from disliking those demons constantly trying to ingratiate themselves with Ning Xu—especially the overly scheming and seductive ones.

The Goddess directly asked, “Which six demons? Let us hear your choices.”

Dan Niang eagerly echoed, “Yes, yes, tell us!”

Ning Xu spoke slowly. “Out of the six slots, one definitely goes to Brother Snake. Over the years, he has earned me an immense amount of spirit stones. It’s clear that he stayed in the Moon Laurel House not out of passion for his profession as a courtesan, nor for the pursuit of wealth, but to leave a good impression on me.”

“Ever since he joined, he has been the most popular courtesan in Moon Laurel House for ten consecutive years.”

“All these years, I’ve seen the effort he has put in.”

Qingjiu Immortal and the others exchanged glances, unsurprised by this choice.

That snake had suppressed his true nature for years, diligently working in Moon Laurel House to make money for Ning Xu. If he wasn’t trying to win her favor, there was no way he would have stayed there for so long.

Dan Niang’s eyes sparkled. “Brother Snake is indeed a good pick. Who else?”

Ning Xu continued, “The second slot goes to Rabbit Seven Niang. As a rabbit demon, she is naturally timid, but over the years, she has worked hard to overcome her fears and has done a great deal for me. She has gradually grown into a resourceful and capable little rabbit.”

“Besides earning me spirit stones at Moon Laurel House, she also helps out at the auction house when she has free time. Whenever Elder Wu and the others are overwhelmed with work, she steps in to lend a hand. You could say that over the years, she’s been like a brick—wherever she was needed, she went.”

“She has indeed contributed greatly.”

Dan Niang’s interest grew. “Rabbit Seven Niang—is she the one with rabbit ears on her head? I remember her! The first time I met her, she blushed when she spoke to me. But after that, I never saw her again.”

Ning Xu explained, “Since she’s good at accounting, I put her in charge of my second auction house. She still occasionally goes to Moon Laurel House, but only to one of the branch locations, not the main house. That’s why you haven’t seen her.”

Dan Niang urged, “And the third?”

Ning Xu replied, “The third is Lion Chi. His grandfather is one of my most trusted aides and has done a great deal for me. Without him, I wouldn’t have been able to manage the demon race so efficiently.”

I originally wanted to bring his grandfather along for ascension, but he couldn’t let go of the demon race, nor did he want to leave the small world he had lived in for hundreds of years. So, he gave this opportunity to his own grandson.”

Qingjiu Immortal clicked his tongue. “That demon is lucky to have such a good grandfather.”

Shichi’s grandfather was that lion demon. Although he looked rough and wild, he was actually very meticulous. Once she ascended, the demon race would surely continue to prosper under the lion demon’s leadership.

Under the gossiping gazes of Dan Niang and the others, Ning Xu named the other three demons.

Every demon she mentioned had made significant contributions to her endeavors and had earned their place through their own abilities.

Dan Niang sighed. “They’re all so incredible. Luckily, I’m not a demon, so I don’t have to compete with them.” Otherwise, she wasn’t sure if she could outmatch them.

It could be said that they had given their all to obtain this spot.

After finishing, Ning Xu turned toward the screen and said, “The six of you who were named, come out.”

Elder Wu stroked his chin in slight surprise. “You knew they were behind the screen all along?”

Ning Xu nodded.

He explained on behalf of the demon clan, “I told them I would ask who you wanted to form a contract with. As soon as they heard that, they all followed me here.”

“They’ve been suffering through this uncertainty for days. Since you’ll have to contract them sooner or later, it’s better to put their minds at ease now.”

Dan Niang covered her mouth and laughed. “Elder Wu, how kind of you.”

Elder Wu chuckled. “I suppose so. I also have my own selfish reasons—I wanted to know as soon as possible who Ning Xu would ultimately bring with her to ascend.”

Ning Xu had Si Yan contract the six demons. Once the contract was sealed, even the usually aloof Brother Snake couldn’t hide a trace of excitement on his face. His time spent entertaining greasy guests at the Osmanthus Moon Pavilion hadn’t been in vain—his master had taken notice of his efforts!

Ning Xu said, “Before Si Yan and I ascend, you should continue as usual. However, you can start training successors.”

The demons respectfully replied, “Yes, Master!”

Ning Xu pointed at Si Yan. “Your master is him.”

The demons turned to Si Yan. “Second Master.”

Ning Xu: “……”

She waved a hand dismissively. “Alright, go back to work.”

Once all the demons had left, the Divine Lady finally spoke. “So, in total, you and Si Yan have contracted twelve lesser spirit beasts. That’s quite a number.”

Ning Xu replied, “We’ve already agreed that after ascension, the contracts will be dissolved. They can either seek out the demon race’s elders or find another path.”

The Divine Lady smacked her lips. “Tsk, if that’s the case, I can’t help but be envious.” Not only could they ascend, but they also wouldn’t be bound by a master-servant contract. She almost regretted not being a demon so she could form a contract with Ning Xu.

As they chatted idly, a new post appeared in the Three Thousand Realms Cultivator Exchange Area.

Melon Mover—[Breaking! The last six spots have been decided! The competition was insane!]

The moment this post went up, it immediately drew countless cultivators’ attention.

【Six spots? What spots?】

【Upstairs, have you just come out of seclusion after years of isolation? How could you not know this?】

【I was in closed-door cultivation for twenty years and just came out yesterday. What’s the deal?】

【Tsk, twenty years? You’ve missed way too much gossip. The six spots the OP is talking about are for lesser spirit beasts. A cultivator can contract up to six lesser spirit beasts in total.】

【Oh, I see. And then? What’s so special about these spots?】

【You don’t understand, fellow Daoist. Two cultivators in the cultivation world are about to ascend soon. One of them has already filled all six of their lesser spirit beast slots, while the other hasn’t contracted a single one. To compete for these six remaining slots, demons have been fighting nonstop—arguing every three days, brawling every seven. It’s been madness.】

【What?! This actually happened? Who are these two cultivators? The cultivation world has such prodigies? Have I heard of them before?】

【You definitely haven’t. They’ve only been rising for less than twenty years. Ten years ago, one of them was at the Spirit Transformation Stage, and the other was at the Body Integration Stage. Now, ten years later, both of them have reached the peak of the Mahayana Stage. Just look at their insane growth rate.】

【No way. Advancing multiple major realms in just ten years? Are you joking?】

【If you think it’s a joke, go check the old posts and catch up on the past gossip. Once you do, you’ll understand what it means to be a ‘Daughter of Heaven.’ Oh, and by the way, these two? They’re Dao partners! Ten years ago, their dual cultivation ceremony was a grand event attended by all the big shots in the cultivation world.】

【Yeah, I still remember that grand occasion vividly. I was lucky to watch from afar. That day, elders, sect leaders, and all cultivators at the Nascent Soul Stage and above attended. Some powerful cultivators even came out of seclusion just to be there. There are 388 cities in the cultivation world, and all 388 city lords attended, not a single one absent. And they didn’t come alone—they brought their entire families!】

【The demon domain was so lively that day.】

【??? These two are this powerful? Even great cultivators give them such face?】

【Rumor has it that the former City Lord of Sky City has a good relationship with that female cultivator. Thanks to her, he recovered a long-lost family treasure. Over the years, through studying this treasure, he has already touched the threshold of ascension. If nothing unexpected happens, he will likely ascend in the next few years as well.】

【What the hell? Not only are they OP themselves, but they can also help others ascend?】

【I want to be friends with a big shot too, wuu wuu wuu.】

【Who doesn’t want that? Big shot, please notice me, this little weakling needs guidance.】

On the Three Thousand Cultivators Exchange, cultivators discussed this matter extensively. The Melon-Eating system that had deliberately posted this was watching their comments with great satisfaction, reading with relish.

Yes, exactly like this! Keep discussing! It loved seeing their ignorant expressions!

【You’re all focusing on the two big shots, but am I the only one who cares that Snake Brother made the list?】

【Snake Brother! Does this mean I won’t be able to see you at Laurel Tower anymore?】

【I’ve been saving spirit stones for ten years—Snake Brother, wait for me!!】

【Though I’m reluctant to part with Snake Brother, I wish him a brighter future!】

【Blessings! Snake Brother, take care of yourself in the future!】

–

Several months later, having arranged all affairs, Ning Su and Si Yan simultaneously faced their ascension tribulations.

That day, countless cultivators watched with wide eyes as they weathered their tribulations.

Near the tribulation site, cultivators were chatting.

“Do you think they’ll succeed?”

Another person said, “For others, I wouldn’t dare say, but if it’s them, I’m certain they’ll succeed.”

Similar conversations echoed in countless corners.

In a place no one noticed, an aged old man was also watching this scene.

This old man was Lie Quan.

Back then, when Xu Hua, Zhi Qing, and Gou Chen had all perished, he had escaped disaster because he was busy dealing with scandals. Years ago, he had wanted to transplant some prodigy’s thunder spiritual root to his descendants, but unfortunately, this matter was exposed by Ning Su. In the end, the plan failed, his grandson blamed him for incompetence, and the sect’s attitude toward him changed.

He thought Si Yan would eventually come to take his life, but Si Yan never did. It was as if he had completely forgotten about him. But he understood clearly—Si Yan hadn’t forgotten; rather, he considered his existence no longer important.

He had once betrayed Si Yan.

But Si Yan used reality to show him that even after being betrayed, Si Yan could still ascend, while he remained just a clown who couldn’t ascend.

As Lie Quan was lost in various thoughts, brilliant dazzling beams of light descended, signifying their successful ascension. As cheers and celebrations erupted all around, Lie Quan staggered away step by step…

Ning Su and Si Yan slowly rose within the beam of light. They naturally noticed the fallen Lie Quan as well, but they no longer cared about this person. After being betrayed by the God King, he was nothing more than an old man with little time left to live.

They waved farewell to their sect and close friends, and amid their blessings and well-wishes, stepped forward into a new life…

(End)

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#Translator’s Notes:

And that’s the end of Crazy Gossiping in the Cultivation World!

This novel was an absolute blast to translate—full of drama, chaos, and the finest melons the cultivation world has to offer. I had so much fun bringing this story to you, and I hope you enjoyed all the twists, turns, and gossip-fueled antics along the way.

Thank you for reading, laughing, and gossiping with me. See you in the next adventure!

— MarineTL