As the words of the enigmatic figure echoed in Ancestor Wei's mind, a profound weight descended upon him. The celestial charts and ancient tomes encircling him seemed to wither, their once-mystical glow fading into dimness.

An abrupt, violent cough wracked Ancestor Wei, staining the aged parchment beneath him with blood. His once-grey hair turned white, and his face aged rapidly. The ethereal energy that had surrounded him dissipated, leaving an unsettling void. Ancestor Wei, the guide of celestial mysteries for countless ages, witnessed his cultivation slowly wane and felt the undeniable frailty of mortality coursing through his veins.

The figures surrounding him observed this sudden transformation with a mixture of shock and concern, hastily administering healing pills to alleviate the distress. After an hour of directing vital energy within his meridians, Ancestor Wei felt a gradual stabilization of his breathing.

"Brother, what otherworldly force has afflicted you? Your transformation defies the very essence of our immortal cultivation," expressed Ancestor Chen, his eyes reflecting both concern and bewilderment.

Ancestor Wei, now marked by the undeniable signs of age and mortality, slowly raised a trembling hand, fear and despair evident in his gaze. "Do not inquire about the revelation. To do so may subject you to the same fate as mine. We must not provoke the bearer of the Ancient Asura Physique. The karmic consequences are too immense to bear. Now, I am but a mortal awaiting my inevitable end."

Ancestor Mei, still grappling with the shock, spoke with a quivering voice. "Brother, can we not find a way to undo this? You've been our guiding light; without you, what will we do?"

Ancestor Wei sighed, his gaze reflecting the burden of his newfound mortality. "Reversal is beyond reach. Unless divine intervention occurs, hope is slim. The journey ahead is uncertain, but I have faith in your resilience and determination. Don't be disheartened; I trust you will thrive even without me. Besides, it's not as bad to be a mortal as you think. When my time comes, I'll reunite with my loved ones."

As he uttered these words, an air of somber acceptance hung over the chamber, the weight of their impending separation casting a shadow over the once vibrant celestial space.

While this situation was happening, there was no difference for the majority of cultivators in the Wu Xian world.

One example would be Long Aotian at Skyview Mountain. As he was grasping the Celestial Attunement Asura Diagram in his mind, an Ancient Asura appeared in his mind. It stood imposingly with a commanding presence. His skin, touched with a dusky hue reminiscent of storm clouds, was adorned with intricate, glowing runes that traced across his muscular form. Multiple arms extended from his broad shoulders, each hand wielding a formidable weapon—a combination of tridents, a fiery sword, and a thunderous mace.

Crimson eyes, intense and penetrating, gleamed with a mixture of intelligence and a touch of ferocity. Long, flowing hair resembled cascading obsidian waves.

Draped in regal, flowing robes, the Asura wore resplendent jewelry encrusted with precious gems that emitted an ethereal glow.

This Asura figure loomed, presiding over the burgeoning universes that swirled within Long Aotian's mind. The cosmos sprawled endlessly, simultaneously vast and minuscule, under the Asura's watchful gaze.

Long Aotian stood astounded, locking eyes with the Asura figure within his psyche. An ancient voice resonated within the corridors of his consciousness.

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"Forge heaven into your hammer, earth into your forge, and sculpt your physique into that of the Asura. Take everything and evolve."

Upon assimilating every bit of the Ancient Ethos Diagram, Long Aotian emerged from his mental reverie. His eyes flickered open, an epiphany coursing through him as he comprehended the depths of the Ancient Asura Body Tempering Technique.

The method involved Long Aotian visualizing the Ancient Asura figure within his mind and establishing a connection with heaven and earth. He would summon a heavenly hammer from the heavens and invoke the earth as the ultimate furnace. By refining his physique with the hammer and aligning it with the Ancient Asura's form, he aimed to create an Ancient Asura physique.

The technique required him to absorb and channel spiritual energy, transferring it to the Ancient Asura figure in his mental landscape. The Asura would then transmute this energy into potent strands, fortifying Long Aotian's fractured body into an unyielding mountain.

The progression encompassed five distinct stages: Little Asura, Great Asura, Asura Sovereign, Supreme Asura, and Dao Asura. Each stage posed tremendous risk, demanding the cultivator's utmost dedication.

Advancing further meant confronting the perilous heavenly tribulations—tests imposed by the heavens themselves. Without unwavering willpower to endure the suffering, both soul essence and physical form would succumb, resulting in demise.

Currently in the Little Asura realm, Long Aotian aimed to ascend to the Great Asura realm by tempering his body 66 times using the combined forces of heaven and earth.

Upon reaching the Great Asura realm, his physique would mirror that of a true dragon, and his vitality would radiate like the sun.

"I need to swiftly grasp a deeper understanding of Greater Dao-Karma. Imagine the surprise on Master's face! The joy of surpassing his expectations would be priceless. I just want to witness that radiant smile on his face. Long Aotian, expedite your comprehension and make your Master beam with pride." With determination, he hastened to the summit of Skyview Mountain to scrutinize the crimson threads of Karma.

At the same time, within Qin Dynasty, Maple Leaf City

Ming Xuan stood at the city gate, hands clasped behind his back, his flowing white robe billowing in the fierce wind. Gazing upon the grandeur of Maple Leaf City and the nearby mountains, Ming Xuan let out a wistful sigh.

"At last, I've arrived at a proper settlement among people. That secluded mountain dwelling was truly maddening," he lamented.

Amidst the bustling scene at Maple Leaf City's gate, a long queue snaked its way towards the entrance, each person obediently paying the entrance fee to the guards stationed there. Ming Xuan, observing the orderly procession, felt a surge of disdain rise within him.

Stand obediently in line, pretending to be sheep while hiding his own true strength? Bah! That's nothing but a mere fantasy!

Hiding my power under the guise of caution? Not my style at all. The idea of conforming to mundane norms grated against his very being.

What would I even cultivate if I'm reduced to waiting in line? I might as well shatter my Dantian and roam the streets as a beggar!

Choosing his own path, Ming Xuan summoned clouds beneath his feet. With effortless grace, he soared into the air, bypassing the gate and entering the city in a display of defiance against the mundane norms of the queue.

As Ming Xuan confidently bypassed the queue at Maple Leaf City's gate, the mortals present reacted with a mix of astonishment and disbelief. Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire as people exchanged bewildered glances.

"He just flew in! Did you see that?"

"Did he just break through the laws of gravity?" Another person shouted, their jaws hanging in disbelief.

"He must be a cultivator of incredible power!"

"Gasp! An immortal being soaring above! I beseech you to accept me as your consort. I pledge to bear you extraordinarily attractive offspring," exclaimed a woman with enthusiasm.

"Extraordinary offspring, my foot. Look at your ugly mug, you porky-faced creature. Maybe you'll birth some extraordinary piglets instead," retorted a man, eliciting laughter from the spectators.

The woman: "..."

...

Entering the city, Ming Xuan quickly located an inn along the lively thoroughfare.

Ming Xuan, with a wry smile, remarked, "Judging by my extensive experience in reading countless cliché cultivation novels, I'm almost certain there's bound to be news about a once brilliant cultivator inexplicably plummeting to trash status in that inn."

He reminisced, "Ah, those were the days when binge-reading all those xianxia novels provided me endless amusement."

Approaching the inn's entrance, he glanced up at the weathered plaque perched above. Its inscription read "Drunken Immortal Inn," a predictably cliché name that made him inwardly chuckle.

Inside the Drunken Immortal Inn, a lively atmosphere enveloped the space, filled with laughter and the clinking of wine-filled cups. Ming Xuan, feigning indifference to the jovial sounds, strode purposefully toward the counter.

At the counter, a plump, middle-aged man joyfully tallied his daily earnings. Ming Xuan approached him, a playful smirk on his face, and said, "Hey, portly fellow, I've got a few questions for you. Answer obediently, and your life might be spared. Otherwise, well, you can imagine."

"Ah, this is something I've always yearned to try—playing the bigshot in front of mere mortal," mused Ming Xuan.

The irritated shopkeeper grumbled, "Trying to act tough in my presence, huh? Are you some kind of villain? And seriously, what's with these half-hearted, cringe-worthy threats? I'd rather drown in a puddle of piss than hear this nonsense."

He further continued, "You dare threaten me? Think twice. I've hired a Foundation Establishment cultivator as my bodyguard. Apologize now, or face severe consequences!"

Ming Xuan maintained his calm demeanor and smiled. "My apologies, but I happen to be a powerhouse in the Mahayana Realm."