Original subtitles

♪Chasing wind, I set out afar♪

♪The road ahead lost, my voice unheard♪

♪I've tasted joy and sorrow♪

♪Laying low, I plan every move♪

♪With a mortal heart and lingering ties♪

♪I'm roaming far and wide♪

♪A twist of fate in desperate times♪

♪A bond that outlives the dust of life♪

♪Still chasing what immortality means♪

♪Even eternity flashes by in a blink♪

♪Don't mock my ordinary life♪

♪I fight alone as chaos shakes the world♪

♪Don't scorn my humble roots♪

♪Kind at heart, ruthless when I must be♪

♪Fate stirs with joy and grief beneath♪

♪I hold the tide between life and death♪

♪Faith carries me through endless dark♪

♪And I return with a heart refined♪

♪Forged by trial, I rise through three realms♪

♪Reborn in the wheel of fate♪

[The Immortal Ascension]

[Adapted from the webnovel, The Immortal Ascension by Wangyu]

[serialized in www.qidian.com under China Literature Limited]

[Episode 1]

[Somewhere in the Distant Seas Realm]

Let the hunt

begin.

[Han Li, Core Formation Mid-Stage]

A Tier Six Demon Beast, huh?

Take this!

You're pretty good.

Again!

Four Symbols: Black Tortoise Formation!

Rise!

Take this.

Looks pretty decent.

They say...

[200 years ago]

in the mountains time stands still,

while a thousand years pass in the mortal world.

[Wuligou Village, Qingniu Town, Jing Prefecture, Yue Kingdom, Tiannan Continent]

My story

starts from 200 years ago.

Blockhead!

Blockhead, wake up.

[Han Xiaomei] Mother made some flatbreads for you.

Flatbreads?

Where did she get the flour?

Father borrowed flour from Sixth Uncle, and Madam Zheng.

I don't think

anyone will believe me,

but I stepped into the world of cultivation

because of a flatbread

and three bowls of flour.

- Here's a huge one. - Here.

The Han family of Wuligou Village, Qingniu Town...

[Father of Han Li]

had been farmers for generations.

Only my third uncle made it into the Seven Mysteries Sect as an outer disciple.

He became the most respected man in the village.

[Grandfather of Han Li]

Didn't you and Mr. Zhang come up with

an excellent name for Blockhead?

For a village boy like me,

getting into the Seven Mysteries Sect

was my only chance at changing my family's destiny.

Han Li?

That's right. Han Li.

This chubby boy

is Zhang Tie.

He's my best friend in the village.

[Zhang Tie] Enjoying some flatbreads?

I have some too.

- You too? - You too?

Not bad at all.

My father made these for me after borrowing three bowls of flour from Uncle Niu.

He forbade me from eating them now.

According to the village rules,

before setting out on a long journey

or doing something important,

we always eat white flour flatbreads.

[Mother of Han Li]

Even if it means we have to borrow the flour.

If Blockhead actually makes it,

- we don't need to return the flour. - However,

- we must always return... - You can eat first.

the things we borrowed.

That's also

one of the rules.

Back then, I thought to myself

that I must get into the Seven Mysteries Sect...

My brother has a new name now.

- to return the flour - What's his new name?

- and for the sake of all these people here. - Han Li.

Li, as in erecting a tombstone?

Touch wood. Don't you say that again.

[Third Uncle of Han Li] For Han Li,

the character, Li, means standing upright between Heaven and Earth.

Han Li...

By the way,

I have an official name now.

I'm no longer Blockhead.

My name is Han Li.

Li, as in standing upright between Heaven and Earth.

[Boneforge Cliff, Seven Mysteries Sect]

This year's entrance exam is a hike.

The first seven participants who reach the peak will join the sect.

The rest will go home.

Stop.

That's enough.

We already have the top seven participants here.

The rest of you

are too late.

[Li Feiyu, Outer Blade Hall]

Go back.

We failed?

How can I return the flour, then?

Senior, you can't do this to us!

Zhang Tie!

You shouldn't have eaten that much.

Do you know something?

You wouldn't have come in ninth place

if you had eaten less in the first place.

I...

So that makes me number eight, then.

Senior!

Tie!

Putting on an act now?

What's wrong?

He's in pain! It's not an act!

Tie!

Are you okay?

Where does it hurt?

Physician Mo?

Han Li!

Just look at him.

He had too many flatbreads right before the hike.

He had three, you know.

[Physician Mo] He was hiking out in the cold as well.

Does he have a death wish?

You're fine now.

Kid, you're lucky.

Physician Mo is the savior

of Sect Leader Wang.

He's known as a divine healer.

You'd better thank him.

Thank you, Physician Mo!

Thank you for saving me!

Thank you, Physician Mo!

Physician Mo.

Are you here to select those who failed the trial?

You're asking the obvious here.

What do you think about them?

I'll take these two.

Come with me.

[Shenshou Valley]

This place is gorgeous.

This is Shenshou Valley.

Sect Leader Wang of Seven Mysteries Sect

granted it to me as a special gift.

I saved his life back then.

Blockhead.

I suppose this is our home now.

That'll depend on what you two will do.

Do you guys recognize the saying

on the wall?

[If I may meet one destined, then my long wait shall not be in vain.]

We don't.

[The heavenly Dao is yours, so long as you stand firm.]

Are you guys illiterate?

Yeah.

What do you guys know, then?

Master, we know how to grow crops.

Don't call me Master.

I haven't decided to take you guys as my disciples yet.

Whether or not you two can remain here

will depend on your performance.

Sit down.

Silly kids.

There's no such thing as a free lunch in the world.

That's a three-legged stool.

If you wish to serve me,

you have to keep your wits about you.

What smell is that?

Have you guys ever taken a bath before?

Han Li.

Why do I

feel giddy?

What's wrong with the water...

Zhang Tie?

Wake up.

Wake up.

You guys are young indeed.

You regained consciousness already.

What have you

put in the water?

Divine Grass Dew.

It acts as a deodorant.

You guys can take a sniff.

See if you still smell.

The stench on you two

wasn't sweat.

You guys just reeked.

You two reeked of mortal stench.

Mortal stench?

Mortals consume grains.

They cannot absorb the essence of Heaven and Earth.

Instead, they gather all the impurities in their bodies.

Of course they stink.

Don't you two

feel any different?

Don't you guys feel spirited and refreshed?

Blockhead.

I do think I smell nice now.

My head doesn't feel heavy anymore.

I suppose I feel much more better now.

Brat, I could tell that you came with a motive in mind

at first glance.

Was it that obvious?

I couldn't care less about

that little motive of yours.

I can save you or destroy you

with just a lift of my fingers.

Want to give it a try?

No.

He'll chase me away if I keep this up.

Physician Mo, thank you for taking us in.

You're our savior.

I promise, we'll do as you say.

We won't upset you.

Don't be scared.

I intimidated you guys

so that you two

would know

who calls the shots here.

There are only three rules here.

First rule,

you must be mindful of every matter

in this valley.

Second rule,

do not make contact with those fools outside.

Third rule,

and the most important rule,

I'll teach you guys a mantra.

You guys have to memorize it and practice it constantly.

I'm serious.

If you cannot follow these three rules,

you'd better scram

and don't waste my time.

I'll remember that.

You guys nodded without thinking, huh?

Very good.

I'll see

how you guys will keep your promise.

There are only three of us,

but we have six dishes here.

Physician Mo.

I'm not hungry.

You guys can go ahead.

How could we do this?

Of course you must eat before us.

Sit down.

Take your chopsticks.

Eat up.

From tomorrow onward,

you two will serve me.

Do not make me look after you two again.

What meat is this?

It tastes so nice.

That's not meat.

It's Chun root.

What's that?

Is it the root of a tree?

Chun wood has a firm and upright structure.

In traditional medicine, it is considered beneficial

for hair and skin.

After it's harvested,

mix with raw scallions and steam thoroughly.

After steaming for half a day,

saw it into fine shreds,

hang it in the southern corner of the house

to dry,

then drizzle with sesame oil.

It can then be used as filling.

I thought

tree roots were only eaten during times of famine.

You eat to fill your tummy.

I eat

to cultivate.

Cultivate?

You guys should rest after finishing your meal.

Be sure to rise at dawn with the rooster's call,

cleanse yourself,

and light incense in preparation.

Get ready to learn the mantra.

What kind of mantra is it?

Why do we need to cleanse ourselves and light incense?

You still have time to prepare bathwater and cook for them?

Hurry and teach them the mantra.

See if they have a spirit root.

Don't get me blockheads again!

Fine...

Go away.

Go away!

Good morning, Physician Mo.

Time to wake up.

The sun's already high up in the sky.

But we just finished cleaning ourselves up.

The mantra

is divided into several tiers.

If you guys are able

to master Tier 1

in the next three months,

then you may formally take me as your master.

After that, you guys will receive the same monthly allowance as the rest

of the members of Seven Mysteries Sect.

There's actually money?

I spent a lot of effort

to procure this mantra.

I won't let you guys off

if you dare to tell anyone else about it.

Understood?

We won't tell anyone else about it!

We'll never do that.

Since you guys are illiterate,

just repeat what I mantra.

Attain ultimate emptiness.

Attain ultimate empathy...

This is driving me crazy.

Emptiness!

Emptiness.

Keep this up, and I'll go crazy.

My goodness.

Maintain.

Maintain.

Profound.

Profound.

Tranquility.

Tranquility?

That's your tummy.

It's tranquility.

All things

flourish.

Flourish.

And I watch their cycles of return.

And I watch their cycles of return.

Attain ultimate emptiness.

Maintain profound tranquility...

♪How many lives have suffered in vain♪

♪A smile exchanged when we meet again♪

♪No need to ask of the past or fate♪

♪In a world so twisted, cruel, ornate♪

♪I've always held my truth within♪

♪Though you doubt where I begin♪

♪From birth we're ranked♪

♪A mortal frame, yet the path begun♪

♪To knock upon the gate of gods♪

♪Where schemes and danger come in floods♪

♪Yet still unchanged♪

♪Through all that's spun♪

♪I look up. Stars, a thousand suns♪

♪I ride the wind a thousand miles♪

♪Mountains, rivers, none defile♪

♪I roam the heavens far and wide♪

♪Where flowers bloom and moons abide♪

♪Through four seasons♪

♪Life flows on♪

♪Karma turns♪

♪With each new dawn♪

Master.

♪If roads ahead are steep and long♪

♪And foes ahead are fierce and strong♪

♪Then turning back might just be wise♪

Take off your belts.

Take off your outer shirt.

Show me how you circulate your energy.

Useless.

It's your turn.

Why is his hand

like a block of ice?

It's like a dead man's hand.

Attain ultimate emptiness.

Maintain profound tranquility.

All things flourish.

And I watch their cycles of return.

Attain ultimate emptiness.

Maintain profound tranquility.

All things flourish.

And I watch their cycles of return.

That hurts!

- Be quiet. - That hurts!

- That hurts! - Be quiet.

Be quiet!

This is great.

I finally found someone who isn't a blockhead.

This is great.

Keep up this level of effort in the future too.

From today onward,

you are my direct disciple.

Does that mean I can learn medicine

and learn how to read and write?

I'll teach you

everything you want to know.

I'll give you the best

of everything.

Master,

Zhang Tie spent a lot of effort practicing the mantra as well.

He's the same as all of the other blockheads.

He's useless.

He wakes up earlier

and sleeps later than me.

He never slacked off

when it came to practicing the mantra.

Please give him another chance.

He cannot do it.

Blockheads like him won't be enlightened

even if you give him an eternity to practice it.

Physician Mo,

don't chase me away!

I can endure hardships!

I can do chores!

I...

I can grow crops!

I can wash your feet on your behalf!

I...

I can also make flatbreads!

Physician Mo, I'm begging you!

Please don't chase me away!

Master,

if you're not willing to let Zhang Tie remain,

I shall leave together with him.

Zhang Tie.

Let me see

what else you can do.

I do have a technique that's suitable for you.

It's called

Mammoth Skin.

Even at the initial stage of mastery,

you'll gain the power to move mountains.

Is it that amazing? I'll do it!

However, one has to endure what other people cannot

in order to master the technique.

Can you do it?

I can endure

all the hardships in the world

as long as you don't chase me away.

Excellent.

Excellent.

What about this?

Both of you can remain here.

Let me guide you two

to the path of enlightenment.

Thank you, Master.

No.

Get up.

Listen.

From now on, concentrate on cultivating the mantra.

You have to

monitor him all the time.

Do not let him slack off.

Go now.

This is great.

We can finally stay here.

We're staying!

We're staying!

It's been so many years.

We've finally found a mortal

with a spirit root!

Old Fool!

Enough already.

Stop talking.

I need to prepare some prescriptions for him.

This won't do.

This won't do.

You have to follow my prescriptions.

Don't use these common goods.

You and I cannot recover

if you let this affect his cultivation progress.

Enough already.

That's enough!

I know what to do.

That smells great.

Master, we're back.

Master.

What are you doing?

Hurry and take off your clothes.

I wasn't talking to you.

Han Li.

Hurry and take off your clothes.

Come.

Zhang Tie.

Come and get some water with me.

Yes, Master.

How do you feel?

This is

the special herbal bath I've prepared for you.

It's filled with precious herbs.

You have to immerse yourself

for four hours.

Pay attention. It's four hours.

How do you feel?

Does your body feel unblocked and transparent?

Maybe

a little.

Just a little?

The herbs aren't strong enough.

You stingy fool!

You have to include more precious herbs.

Don't be so stingy.

Hurry!

Hurry up!

I've nearly given up all my treasured items

just to aid this boy in his cultivation.

Zhang Tie!

Mix it slowly.

Be careful with it!

Sorry, Master.

That's right.

For the next four hours,

regulate your breathing with the mantra I taught you.

Come.

Zhang Tie, keep an eye on it for me.

Maintain

the water temperature.

Make sure it's not too high or too low.

Attain ultimate emptiness.

What's wrong?

I can't take this.

It's so hot.

Master.

Han Li.

He's unwell.

What's wrong?

Master.

Please take him out of the bathtub.

Han Li!

Come! Hurry!

Don't move!

Keep your composure!

Good boy.

How is it?

How do you feel?

It's so hot.

It's so hot.

It's very

hot.

That's more like it.

Remember the mantra I taught you.

Regulate your breathing slowly.

Zhang Tie.

Keep an eye on him.

Give him a reminder.

Attain ultimate emptiness.

Maintain profound tranquility.

Shut up.

All things flourish.

Shut up!

Master, he...

Recite the mantra.

Attain ultimate emptiness.

Attain ultimate emptiness.

Maintain profound tranquility.

Maintain...

Maintain what?

Maintain profound tranquility.

Maintain profound tranquility!

All things flourish.

All things flourish!

And I watch their cycles of return.

And I watch their cycles of return.

Attain ultimate emptiness.

Attain ultimate emptiness.

Maintain profound tranquility.

Get down.

Don't do this!

Attain ultimate emptiness!

Attain ultimate emptiness.

Attain ultimate emptiness!

Maintain profound tranquility!

Maintain profound tranquility!

All things flourish!

All things flourish!

Master!

Master, what's wrong with Han Li?

Blockhead, wake up!

Blockhead!

Master?

Master, what's wrong with him?

Master?

Come.

Blockhead, you're awake.

You scared me, you know?

I thought you were dead!

Shut up!

Master.

What's wrong with me?

You've mastered Tier 1.

Blockhead.

Master said you've mastered Tier 1.

I suppose it'll only work with potent herbs.

My dear boy.

Come.

Zhang Tie.

Wipe his body with cold water.

Take your time.

Let me get some herbs that'll serve as your tonics.

I'll brew it.

And,

I'm going to buy you

some new clothes.

New clothes?

I've never worn new clothes before.

I always wore my sister's used clothes.

My second sister will wear my eldest sister's used clothes.

[Longevity Art, Tier 1] My third sister will do the same.

After that, I'll wear the clothes made from their used ones.

Unknowingly,

it's already been over a year since we came to Shenshou Valley.

In order

to remain here,

Zhang Tie has sacrificed a lot.

To cultivate Mammoth Skin,

one's body must be tempered countless times.

He endured it all.

Master didn't allow me to do chores such as gathering herbs

or cooking.

Zhang Tie had to do everything.

Once we leave the mountain upon the mastery of our arts,

I must

treat him nicer.

As for me,

besides taking herbal brews, meditating,

and cultivating the mantra,

I have to take herbal baths

that consist of precious herbs that I don't even know the name of.

I don't know what the point is.

[Heaven]

However,

Master also taught us how to read

and write

to open our minds to the gate of wisdom.

So, this is what

the sky looks like.

All this while,

Zhang Tie and I had saved up

our monthly allowances and sent them back home.

We also prepared a birthday present for Xiaomei.

By the way,

we also returned the white flour

we borrowed from our neighbors.

In the future, Father and Mother

won't need to borrow anything from our neighbors again.

We'll have all the buns and flatbreads

in the world.

♪And last eternally♪

Although Master didn't want me to do chores,

whenever I was free,

I would gather herbs

from the forest nearby.

I did it to prepare myself

before I study medicine from him

in the future.

What the heck is this?

What is this?

It's so green.

It's green, huh?

It looks pretty exquisite.

What's inside the vial?

Why don't we check it out?

Here you go.

What do you mean by this?

Chop it in half.

Hand me the cleaver.

Let me see.

Let me take a look.

This vial is kind of weird.

We can't even crack it with a cleaver.

Let's throw it away.

Don't do it!

Let's save it.

Fine, then.

[Two Years Later]

Master.

Time to eat.

Master.

Han Li!

Time to eat!

Han Li!

Coming!

I made them according to your recipes.

There's duck, fish, and braised meat.

Excellent.

Come.

Make some space.

Come.

Put the braised meat here.

Here.

Han Li.

Here you go.

Have some duck.

Here.

Han Li!

Han Li?

Why are you here?

Get back inside!

What?

What's wrong?

You fool!

What must cultivators avoid above all else?

They must avoid

impure food like meat and liquor.

That means

the boy

has reached Tier 2!

Tier 2?

He has set foot on the immortal path!

Really?

From now on,

he'll be entirely different

from mere mortals like you all!

This year,

I reached Tier 2

of my mantra cultivation.

Master kept his promise.

He taught me medicine.

Medicine refinement,

herb preparation,

acupuncture,

he taught me everything without reservation.

Right now,

even my monthly allowance

has more than doubled.

I wonder

how everyone in the village is doing.

Father.

Mother.

Xiaomei.

I'm doing well

over here.

You guys don't need to worry about me.

Apart from taking care of our daily meals and needs,

Zhang Tie spent the rest of his time

practicing

the technique called Mammoth Skin,

which Master has imparted to him.

I don't see any bronze muscles or iron bones.

Being covered in cuts and bruises

became the norm instead.

Using the medicinal skills I've learned,

I created medicines to heal his injuries.

At least I can finally help

to relieve some of his pain.

After reaching Tier 2,

I realize that my vision had improved.

My hearing has improved as well.

My mind has become a bit sharper too.

Seems like

there's something magical about the mantra indeed.

Back then,

Li Feiyu, who led us into the sect,

also known as Senior Li,

was also promoted from an ordinary steward

to the Deputy Hall Master of Outer Blade Hall.

He deals with the villainous and wicked bandit gang

called Wild Wolves Gang.

I was once envious of him.

I wanted to be like him.

I wanted to be a martial arts expert

and a pugilist.

I wanted to roam the world,

take revenge, and repay gratitude swiftly.

It's a shame

that there are no "what ifs" in life.

I could only practice and take herbal brews

day after day.

Unknowingly,

it seems that thought has already faded away.

Scram!

Tell the entire Wild Wolves Gang

that none of you better think of stepping into Seven Mysteries Sect.

If not,

you will end up like this.

Let's go!

Master.

[Two and a Half Years Later] Look at the gardenia plants.

They're growing so well.

If we boil them

and mix it with powdered licorice root to make Duanmu tofu,

it'll turn into an exquisite vegetarian dish.

Child, plants are not the only edible food around here.

Within this boundless world,

even stone and sand,

dew at dawn and glow at dusk,

all may serve as sustenance.

Lately,

I've been wondering about

the mantra you taught me.

Tell me what's on your mind.

Attain ultimate emptiness.

Maintain profound tranquility.

Maybe it's because

nothing is perfect in the world.

Due to the imperfection,

mortals feel empty and lost.

Only by accepting such emptiness

will we be able to find tranquility.

Did I say something wrong?

From now on, you're only allowed to gather herbs.

Do not read

any books again.

But why?

Your cultivation progress

has been lagging behind for the past few months.

You have to focus on your cultivation.

Anything else other than that

has nothing to do with you.

It's all your fault!

Who told you to let him read books?

Now, he has formed his own thoughts.

How can we control him like this?

Shut up!

Did you think he'd stay in the valley

and do his cultivation training

had I not lured him with the teaching of medicine?

You're a pathetic excuse for an immortal.

You only nag people non-stop.

If you're that free,

you should keep a close eye on that child.

Master kept all of his books away.

He swapped them into herbs.

Why did Master's moods

shift so unpredictably?

It's as if he has suddenly turned into a different person.

I have to be careful in the future.

I mustn't tell people what's on my mind easily.

I've never encountered such a situation

ever since I reached Tier 2 of cultivation.

I have the feeling

that something bad is about to happen.

What is this?

This vial,

why is it glowing?

It can absorb moonlight?

Seems like my hypothesis was correct.

The closed door and windows

were obstructing the vial from absorbing the light rays.

The vial can absorb light rays better

at spacious areas with open space.

Only then

will the light orb be larger.

Although I don't know

where the light rays are coming from

or what the vial is doing

when it absorbs the light rays,

I suppose I'm getting much closer

to solving the riddle.

But why can't I open it?

Why are you only here now?

Weren't we supposed to meet on the third quarter of the Hour of Yin?

Li Feiyu was doing his rounds tonight.

I'm lucky that I'm able to be here.

Is that a member of Wild Wolves Gang

and a member of Seven Mysteries Sect?

Any word

on that cargo?

Of course.

This is a birthday gift for King Qin.

He's actually in cahoots with Wild Wolves Gang.

He has betrayed Seven Mysteries Sect.

I have to hurry back and report this to them.

We'll depart in three days.

How much can we rob from them this time?

Who's there?

You should return first.

[Wu Yan, Disciple of Seven Mysteries Sect] Don't let people see us together.

I'll go after him.

You run pretty fast even though you don't know martial arts.

Master?

I told you to focus on your cultivation in the valley.

Why did you get into a fight?

Master.

I couldn't sleep last night.

I went to the forest to meditate.

I heard about his collusion

with Wild Wolves Gang by accident.

He has betrayed our sect!

Our sect?

Wild Wolves Gang?

The mortals can fight and betray each other all they like.

That's none of your business.

Do you know that your life

is more precious than the entire Seven Mysteries Sect?

I won't let anyone

harm you.

He's a mole.

Did you not hear me the first time?

Go back and focus on your cultivation.

Reach Tier 3 as soon as possible.

You scoundrels

have never shown me any respect.

What?

Do you think I'm old, deaf, and blind?

Do you know who his life belongs to?

No one

is to lay a finger on him except for me.

Han Li!

Something bad has happened!

A member of Seven Mysteries Sect

fell off the valley!

Master killed him.

Master...

Master?

That can't be.

Master just killed someone!

Master,

he killed someone?

Master

is actually a hidden martial arts expert.

Why has he never shown his skills in front of us?

Did he hide it from us deliberately?

Or...

How can you cultivate in peace

when your heart is so restless?

You've been slacking off too much lately.

It's pouring out there.

Sleep early.

Once the weather turns better,

I'll descend the mountain to seek medicine for you.

Remember.

I'll always

keep an eye on you.

♪Shards of dreams inside a dream♪

♪A pale moon falls into mirrored skies♪

♪Years slipped by as I lingered on♪

♪Old scenes rise again♪

♪Too hard to forget♪

♪Easier just to miss♪

♪They say the past fades like smoke♪

♪But looking back still stirs the ache♪

♪This noisy world, this lonely page♪

♪Swept away by time♪

♪Eyes once looked far♪

♪Now lost in the shift♪

♪Autumn winds stir♪

♪Smoke curls once more♪

♪Like clouds on the edge of sky♪

♪Returning to my eyes♪

♪Looking back from the mountaintop♪

♪Time lost its name♪

♪Was it yesterday♪

♪Or tomorrow?♪

♪The world has changed♪

♪Beyond recall♪

♪Time will fade♪

♪All the words ever spoken♪

♪Only this longing remains♪

♪Crossing centuries and days♪

♪In a fleeting moment we call eternity♪

♪In a fleeting moment called eternity♪